Phuket prepares to combat new virus
Teerin Julsawad
The Nation on Sunday

PHUKET: -- A recent outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has prompted the Ministry of Public Health to set up an emergency committee in preparation to combat the spread of the disease.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are at least 77 reported victims of the disease and 44 deaths so far.

Public Health Minister Narong Sahamethaphat, who led a press conference on Friday at Phuket International Airport, said that the number of victims is expected to rise. Despite the fact that there are no reports of the virus in Thailand at present, local hospitals are now on alert for any possible cases of the contagious infection. Those infected develop severe acute respiratory illness. Some of the symptoms may include coughing, high fever, and a shortness of breath.

The first reported case of the virus was back in September, where infections were predominantly identified within Middle Eastern countries. Due to the virus' contagious nature, a number of tourists who visited the Middle East have since spread it to parts of Europe. Narong said that hospitals and clinics around the country would be watching closely for potential victims, particularly on those who have recently travelled to the Middle East.

In an effort to protect the people of Phuket from the potential risks of the virus, Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) chief Bancha Kakong said that emergency teams have been set up at hospitals around Phuket in preparation for a possible outbreak of the virus.

Recent international travellers are urged to see a doctor immediately should they experience any symptoms. Additionally, citizens are advised to wear a mask and take extra steps to practice good personal hygiene during this time, Bancha said.

-- The Nation 2013-07-07

*Deleted post and reference edited out*

Unfortunately the respiratory illness referenced is a real infection and quite lethal. As I stated several months ago, the infections should be in full swing by next high season. This means all those travelers from the EU that prefer the gulf state airlines are going to be transiting the epicentre of infection. In the event that this illness does reach an epidemic in the Gulf it will seriously disrupt the region's airlines and will see a quick spread into the EU and SE Asia by travellers.

Edited July 7, 201313 yr by Scott

They could start by putting in some real sanitary sewers and a real sewage treatment plant.

More effort should be put into eradicating the "lame duck disease" the Governor is infected with.

Maybe we should start solving the problems that already exist in Poo-ket instead of being concerned about one that has not come yet.

Edited July 7, 201313 yr by CIHUAHUA

think ive already got the virus 40 cigis a day and and a bottle of whiskey short of breath when shagging a hooker and major cough after the happy ending must have got it in thailand

Getting the entire population of the country to cover their mouths when coughing would be a good start.

Forget public information adverts on TV, just write it into the script of some soap operas.

I have deleted some troll posts and the replies to them.

How about taking care of the taxi mafia virus?

Who is the moderator in this forum? I would like to PM.

You can contact any moderator.

As if dengue wasn't bad enough...