Consumer sentiment in South Korea is falling to similar levels seen last June, when the spread of the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome(MERS) undermined domestic spending.

The Bank of Korea(BOK) said February’s consumer sentiment index(CSI) was 98, two points lower than last month, and equal to the index last year during the MERS outbreak. It also marks the lowest index in eight months.

BOK officials consider consumers generally have an optimistic outlook if the index exceeds 100 points and are pessimistic if the tally falls below the 100-mark.