Nationwide MERS alert

[Lite Beer]

Nationwide MERS alert
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Minister says situation under control; people who came in contact with Omani patient quarantined

THE PUBLIC Health Ministry has put Thailand on a nationwide alert for MERS after one foreigner tested positive for the virus at a Bangkok hospital on Thursday, with various measures being implemented to ensure it does not spread.

Public Health Minister Dr Rajata Rajatanavin said authorities were ensuring the situation was under control, with a total of 141 people in the country on the watch-list. Most of these people have already been located and quarantined.

Health authorities are also working closely with other agencies such as the Foreign Ministry, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to prevent the spread of Middle East respiratory syndrome.

The World Health Organisation's office in Thailand has also provided specialists and advisers to help Thailand contain any MERS outbreak.

"There are two groups of people who had close contact with the Omani MERS patient. The first group, which consists of 66 people, is the riskier group, including three close relatives, 47 medical staff and airline passengers who sat close to the patient on the plane on their way to Thailand," Rajata said.

"The second group has 75 people who came close to the patient but did not have direct contact. They were other airline passengers, taxi drivers and hotel staff. All of them will be monitored for 14 days but they don't need to go to hospital yet."

According to the minister, the chance of a widespread MERS outbreak in Thailand like that in South Korea is very low because Thai health authorities were able to identify the first patient quickly before he could travel further and infect other people.

The acting WHO representative to Thailand, Richard Brown, praised Thailand's swift action to prevent the spread of MERS and the progress in tracking people who had come into contact with the single MERS patient.

Professor Dr Yong Poovorawan, a top virologist at Chulalongkorn University's faculty of medicine, said the MERS virus was less infectious than SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) or common flu. The low infection rate of the virus combined with the swift measures to contain it makes the chance of a widespread outbreak in Thailand very low, he said.

Yong suggested that if anyone had come from countries where MERS existed and experienced flu-like symptoms such as cough, runny nose and fever within 14 days, they must wear a facemask and visit a hospital for a check-up.

"There are now 14 centres of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department and laboratories in the medical schools that can test for the MERS virus," he said.

Rajata also said the condition of the first MERS patient, a 75-year-old man from Oman, had improved slightly but he was still in a special unit at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi. Three of his close relatives have been isolated in the same unit as well; two of them have flu symptoms.

"If their [three relatives] MERS test results are positive, there is nothing to worry about as all of them are already in quarantine," he said.

Dr Vitoon Leungdilok, the public health chief of Trang province in southern Thailand, said there was one possible MERS patient who has just returned from South Korea. Authorities got the contact number for this person as part of the monitoring system.

"We will ensure that everyone from at-risk countries is closely monitored," he said.

Dr Surasing Wisarurat, the deputy public health chief of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, said there were many possible MERS patients as airlines fly directly from South Korea to Chiang Mai, but the public should not panic. So far, the province has quarantined four people, including three who came from China, but found no MERS virus.

In the southern province of Songkhla, Dr Suwich Thampalo of the Disease Control Department said doctors were now stationed at Hat Yai and Narathiwat airports to help screen possible MERS patients. In addition, there will be extra measures when Muslim Thais in southern provinces leave for the Middle East for the hajj in August.

Meanwhile, Tourism Council of Thailand president Ittirit Kinglake said MERS could trigger fear among Thais as well as tourists staying in the country. However, he said people should not panic.

He advised tourism operators, particularly hotels, airlines, stores, shops, and every public area, to be aware of this problem. They have been urged to clean up places in order to avoid virus infections.

Siam Commercial Bank’s economic team said that Thailand’s retailing, entertainment and restaurants tend to be affected the most due to the fears. However, It noted that in 2003 when less-severe SARS spreaded in Thailand, the tourist arrivals in the year dropped by only 7 per cent against the anticipated 50 per cent drop.

Yesterday, share prices of Bumrungrad Hospital shares dropped 6.3 per cent after it confirmed the treatment of the country’s first MERS case. Airports of Thailand dropped 4.2 per cent, national carrier Thai Airways International eased 2.3 per cent and Central Plaza Hotel plunged 6.6 per cent.

The health authorities in Pattaya held a press conference yesterday. They said all 42 communites in the resort city have been alerted on the disease and al are instructed to contact health officials if finding any irregularities. In cooperation with immigration officers, they will also put special focus on foreign tourists who are coming from risk countries.

Kittisak Pattamasaevi, vice president of sales and marketing of Montara Hospitality, said the group was considering looking at new markets if its traditional customers drop because of the MERS outbreak. He added that China was an emerging market for the group while customers in some big cities in the Middle East like Dubai still had high potential despite being close to the origin of MERS.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Nationwide-MERS-alert-30262738.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-20

[docshock13]

Was the last paragraph added because the journo couldn't make the minimum word count requirement?

Seems like a "damn! Still 50 words short" moment. "I know! I'll call my friend and get a quote to pad the article."

[clockman]

Yes M.E.R.S. could be a problem. But compared with road deaths, 50 every day. It is nothing!

[arrowsdawdle]

With all the taboo about feet in LOS, why do Thai officials keep putting them in their mouths? Two days ago, the top guy was saying MERS would not come to Thailand.

[shaggy851]

Health authorities in Pattaya held a press conference today and advised the 42 communties that there is another infectious desease that people need to watch out for while staying in the resort city, and to report any irregularities while urinating.

[maidee]

so the medical people quarantined, but what about, their family they go to every day (spread) and the friends & work collegues of the family, and the schools of the children .... just imagine if this thing is as deadly as it is AIRBORNE

[JOC]

so the medical people quarantined, but what about, their family they go to every day (spread) and the friends & work collegues of the family, and the schools of the children .... just imagine if this thing is as deadly as it is AIRBORNE

So Mr Genius, please tell us how to contain an airborne decease in a city of 10 million+ !!

I am sure, the health authorities will be interested in your solution.................

[brain150]

Just another "panic flu" ... good to make people scared and implement stricter laws for control.

It's all BS !!! Just like the swine flu, bird flu, SARS and all the other BS flues.

Just like any other flu it's a cash machine for some people ...

[up-country_sinclair]

Just another "panic flu" ... good to make people scared and implement stricter laws for control.

It's all BS !!! Just like the swine flu, bird flu, SARS and all the other BS flues.

Just like any other flu it's a cash machine for some people ...

From what I've read, more than a third of the people with MERS die.

Sorry, but that's not "just like any other flu".

[docshock13]

so the medical people quarantined, but what about, their family they go to every day (spread) and the friends & work collegues of the family, and the schools of the children .... just imagine if this thing is as deadly as it is AIRBORNE

If i recall the meaning of quarantine correctly, hospital staff will be required to stay in an isolation ward with no outside contact until the all clear is given. I.E. they are not allowed to return home after work everyday and potentially transmit the disease. Hence the terms "quarantine" and "isolation." Edited June 20, 2015 by docshock13

[brain150]

Just another "panic flu" ... good to make people scared and implement stricter laws for control.

It's all BS !!! Just like the swine flu, bird flu, SARS and all the other BS flues.

Just like any other flu it's a cash machine for some people ...

From what I've read, more than a third of the people with MERS die.

Sorry, but that's not "just like any other flu".

I have heard this with any "yearly flu" in the last years ... just never turned out to be true !

And a high mortality rate is always good to scare people [just like it is supposed to be].

[MockingJay]

Oh no...

[Tywais]

US Embassy Bangkok, Thailand

Saturday, June 20, 2015

The U.S. Mission Thailand is monitoring the current Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in the Republic of South Korea and any related incidents in our region. This notice provides current recommendations.

In South Korea, there are no signs of sustained community-acquired infection. Confirmed cases of transmission have been linked to hospitals. As a result, hospitals in South Korea have increased their surveillance and modified their approach to dealing with patients who exhibit symptoms.

The Thai Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) reported on June 18 the first case of MERS in the Kingdom of Thailand. They are monitoring individuals with possible exposure to that confirmed case and any others that may emerge. Travellers can expect increased passenger screening measures at international airports, particularly for flights from Middle Eastern countries.

Please be aware there may be misguided media reports regarding the current MERS risk. A good source of reliable information about this disease is the CDC MERS website from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The World Health Organization also provides advice in English on MERS (WHO MERS Fact Sheet.)

Even though the current risk for exposure in Thailand is extremely low, there are common-sense steps you can take to further minimize risk:

1) Frequent hand washing, particularly after touching other people and after going out in public. Carry a pocket-sized hand sanitizer with you.

2) Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, or nose.

3) Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.

4) Avoid contact with people who are coughing or sneezing.

5) Discuss with your family the steps above. Know who is playing with your children and inquire if anyone is sick.

6) Stay home is you are sick with any viral illness.