South Korea’s health ministry said on Wednesday a joint mission with the World Health Organization that is reviewing the country’s response to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has urged the government to re-open schools.

South Korea's health ministry said on Wednesday a joint mission with the World Health Organization that is reviewing the country's response to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has urged the government to re-open schools.

Nearly 2,500 schools have been closed over fear of a MERS outbreak. In all, 108 people have been infected in South Korea and nine have died.

"Strong consideration should be given to re-opening schools, as schools have not been linked to transmission of (the MERS virus) in the Republic of Korea or elsewhere," the mission said.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye will delay her visit to the United States to oversee the country's fight against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Yonhap news agency said on Wednesday, citing her office.

Park was to leave for the United States on Sunday and hold a summit meeting with US President Barack Obama on Tuesday.

South Korea's health ministry on Wednesday said two more people have died in its Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak and reported 13 new cases, bringing the total to 108.

The two deaths bring the number of fatalities to nine. All of those who died had been suffering serious ailments before they tested positive for the MERS virus, the ministry said.

The 13 new cases of infections were all traced to hospitals, according to the ministry.