Potential MERS cases under watch in Thailand

[webfact]

DISEASE CONTROL
Potential MERS cases under watch

BANGKOK: -- The Disease Control Department on Thursday revealed that 17 people have been under close watch for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERSCoV) in Thailand.

Dr Sopon Mekthon, the department's director, said that three were from Bangkok, six from Pattani, four from Phetchaburi and one each from Samut Prakarn, Yala and Trang. Laboratory tests had not however found any infected patients, the doctor added.

MERS is a new virus, which is often referred to as the Middle East's own version of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath and even diarrhoea.

According to statistics released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 495 confirmed cases were reported between April 2012 and May 6. Of these 141 or 28.48 per cent, died.

The cases were identified in 17 countries including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, France, Philippines and Germany. In April alone, there were 288 confirmed cases.

The doctor said people who visit countries at risk should avoid visiting farms, agricultural crop warehouses, markets that have camels and refrain from touching camels and drinking camels' milk.


-- The Nation 2014-05-15

[chainarong]

Sounds like the bug I picked up last week in laos.

[TimCM]

This is the last thing needed at the moment. With little functioning govt and disrupted transportation there will be little way of controlling an outbreak if it occurs

[Metisa]

MERS CoV is generally transmitted from Saudi Arabia, and usually arrives with person infected after attending the Hajj ceremonies in Saudi.

The major problem in Thailand, applicable to most respiratory travelling viruses, is that there is very little local level surveillance, or observation and tracking. Cases present and there is, in most cases, little early stage diagnostic testing.. and that is the largest worry.

In summary, it is not a local or Asian disease, and is normally contracted by pilgrims travelling to celebrate religious events in the Middle East, namely Saudi.

It is highly unlikely to become endemic in Thailand... although it is sad that people do contract it, as it is rarely recognised, until too late, in countries of non-origin.

I wouldn't be sweating over a pint about it.

[givenall]

This is the last thing needed at the moment. With little functioning govt and disrupted transportation there will be little way of controlling an outbreak if it occurs

funny thing is that Thailand claims no case here yet, although this country is probably the only one has masses of traveler from all effected countries and most of all the cases were transmitted in hospitals. guess what Thailand had all the visitors from these country coming to go to doctors over here, and no mention of hospital in the places to be careful of

Bottom line don't trust what Thai official say about MERS

[RubbaJohnny]

Dromedary Abctrian a hump person said don't get the hub