Eye out for possible MERS cases in Thailand

[webfact]

Eye out for possible MERS cases in the Kingdom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The reported threat of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has sparked serious surveillance in Thailand.

Though there are no records of any Thai citizens coming down with the disease, the Public Health Ministry has assigned the Disease Control Department to keep a close eye out for any possible cases of MERS-CoV and ensure it does not spread.

The ministry's permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahametapat has also advised people to immediately seek medical treatment if they develop fever, cough or sore throat after visiting the Middle East.

According to World Health Organisation, since the emergence of MERS in April 2012, a total of 253 laboratory-confirmed cases of human MERS infections have been confirmed, including 93 deaths.

The cases have been in the Middle East (namely Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates); Europe (France, Germany, Greece, Italy and the United Kingdom); North Africa (Tunisia); and in Asia (Malaysia and the Philippines).

Assoc Prof Dr Arunee Thitithanyanont, a medical specialist, said the mortality rate was between 30 and 50 per cent.


-- The Nation 2014-04-25

[noitom]

What is "serious surveillance" in Thailand? What does he mean by that "serious?"

[Tokay]

What is "serious surveillance" in Thailand? What does he mean by that "serious?"

Considering the report a few weeks ago about 86% (or so) of the CCTVs in Pattaya didn't work, then you scale the same CCTV mess across the nation, I'd recon that the only thing under "serious surveillance" are the female toilets at the airport.

[Ricardo]

"the Public Health Ministry has assigned the Disease Control Department to keep a close eye out for any possible cases of MERS-CoV and ensure it does not spread."

One would rather have hoped, that a "Disease Control Department" already does this sort of thing, and doesn't need its Ministry to tell it to do so, again ?

[belg]

what about all those middle easteners visiting thailand and spreading the deaseas overhere?

technology, also used by virii

but i guess thai CDC cannot think this logical way