MERS
People at risk warned to avoid MERS-hit countries
Puangchompoo Prasert,
Samudcha Hoonsara,
Wattana Khamchu
The Nation



Those with chronic ailments and elderly folk urged to be vigilant, avoid infection

BANGKOK: -- THE DISEASE Control Department has advised the elderly and people with chronic health problems against travelling to MERS-affected countries.

Middle East respiratory syndrome is a deadly communicable disease and has now spread to seven nations, namely South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The number of MERS-related deaths in South Korea has hit 19.

"If infected, those most at risk are people who have had chronic problems, particularly diabetes, renal failure and low immunity, as well as the elderly," Sopon Mekthon said yesterday in his capacity as director-general of the Disease Control Department.



Since the MERS outbreak, the number of Thai tourists to South Korea has dropped by about 30 per cent.

Krichanat Meesamran, vice president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, said many customers had chosen to postpone or cancel their trips to South Korea after learning about MERS cases there. He was speaking after meeting with Sopon and relevant agencies to discuss the threat MERS infections might pose.

Cherdsak Daokaew, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said inbound tour operators continued to provide services to South Koreans, though all tour guides had been briefed about how to watch out for MERS cases.

"If any customer has a cough or fever, he or she must be taken to a doctor immediately," he said.

He said there were about 100 tour operators serving South Korean visitors in Thailand.

Bangkok Islamic Committee vice president Aroon Boonmalert said Thai Muslims usually went to Saudi Arabia for umrah this month and for hajj between August and October.

"The Disease Control Department has taken care of the health of registered pilgrims from the very beginning. Before they make their trip, they will be vaccinated against meningococcemia and influenza. They will also get an individual health report," he said, adding that it may also include MERS.

In a related development, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said MERS was not affecting the tourism industry because the number of visitors to Thailand was on the rise.

"We believe Thailand will meet its target of attracting 28.8 million tourists and generating Bt2.2 trillion in tourism income this year," she said.

To date, the World Health Organisation has not issued travel advisories in relation to MERS.

In an interview with Now26 channel, Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin said Thailand had measures in place to deal with MERS. For instance, scanners have been set up to check the body temperature of travellers coming from overseas.

"Officials will check on those with a fever to see if they have MERS. To date there have been some 30 people who have undergone this process, but none of them have been proved to have contracted MERS," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/People-at-risk-warned-to-avoid-MERS-hit-countries-30262466.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-17

"In a related development, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said MERS was not affecting the tourism industry because the number of visitors to Thailand was on the rise.

"We believe Thailand will meet its target of attracting 28.8 million tourists and generating Bt2.2 trillion in tourism income this year," she said."

Even when MERS come to Thailand (which easily could happen soon) it "has no effect on thailands tourism" I will bet ... Ms. Popcorn will do and say anything to protect the all mighty BAHT - better get info else where than this TAT Circus