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More than 200 primary schools shut down today as South Korea struggled to contain an outbreak of the MERS virus that has infected 30, killed two and triggered widespread fear, AFP reports.

With the World Health Organisation predicting further infections and the government under fire for its initial response, President Park Geun-Hye convened an emergency meeting with top health officials and medical experts to map out a comprehensive quarantine strategy.

Five new cases were reported overnight, making this the largest outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outside Saudi Arabia, where the virus has killed more than 400 since 2012.

With new infections being reported on a daily basis, the outbreak has caused nationwide public alarm and seen fearful urban residents stocking up on face masks and hand sanitizers.

Dozens of public events have been cancelled, while more than 1,360 people who were exposed directly or indirectly to the virus have been placed under varying levels of quarantine.