MOPH: No MERS-CoV case found in Thailand

BANGKOK, 11 June 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health says there has yet to be confirmed cases of MERS-CoV in Thailand but affirms strict prevention measures will continue.

Speaking during a meeting of epidemiologists, Virologist and Advisor to the Department of Disease Control Emeritus Professor Dr.Prasert Thongcharoen disclosed that lab tests for MERS-CoV on six Thais out of nine arriving from South Korea a week ago were negative. Test results of the three others have yet to be concluded.

According to Dr. Praset, the spread of MERS-CoV in South Korea is considered rapid but is still confined to hospitals. As of June 10, the fatal virus has sickened 122 people in Korea and claimed nine lives. In Southeast Asia, MERS-CoV has led to only one confirmed case in Malaysia and two in the Philippines in the past few years.

The government has yet to ban Thai people from travelling to South Korea, but has warned them against frequenting busy areas and hospitals. The general public have also been advised to adhere to sanitary practices to protect themselves against the deadly virus.

Dr. Prasert has also disclosed that the country will tomorrow host an international conference on medical equipment. Around 20,000 people are expected to attend the meeting, 4,000 of whom are from South Korea. Surveillance measures will be particularly tight at the venue.


-- NNT 2015-06-11

If you're going to get it in Thailand, it will be next week when Ramadhan starts, or near mid July when the annual cattle (or should that be camel?) drive of devout Muslims arrive in Pattaya for Eid.

Very stupid, to make statements like that. With air travel, it can be anywhere any time. But they love to say something.