First 20 MERS-suspected people are free to go home, MOPH says



NONTHABURI, 29 June 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has permitted the first twenty people who came into contact with 75-year-old Mers-infected Omani man to go home after the end of 14-day quarantine and they are confirmed free of the deadly virus.

MOPH Minister Ratchata Ratchatanawin announced the official permission in a press conference held at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi after he observed the twenty people who had been under the quarantine since June 15th. Fourteen of them were air passengers who sat close to the Omani man on his flight to Bangkok, two taxi drivers, and four medical personnel of Bumrungrad Hospital.

Surachet Satitniramai, the ministry's acting permanent secretary, said the last Mers testing confirmed none of them were infected with the virus. This indicated Thailand’s success in effective control, surveillance and prevention of the disease. Because of quick detection of the suspected person and quick admission to hospital, Thailand is now a country with very low risk of the Mers outbreak.

Health condition of the Omani man being treated at Bamrasnaradura since June 18th has continuously improved. His heart rate is normal without oxygen support. He has no temperature and is able to sit up on his own. X-ray result of his lungs shows better condition. However, he still stays in the special isolation room. In this evening, specialists will reassess his condition. If everything is normal, he will be moved to a standard isolation room.

Three of his relatives who are also under the 14-day quarantine show no signs of Mers and their quarantine period will end on July 2nd.


-- NNT 2015-06-29

MERS
20 people in contact with patient get all-clear
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- MORE THAN half of the 36 people who had close contact with the only confirmed MERS patient in Thailand left medical facilities yesterday after being given the all clear following a 14-day observation period.

The confirmed MERS patient, a 75-year-old man from Oman, is recovering. The 36 people quarantined either sat near the Omani man on a flight to Thailand, are medical workers or taxi drivers.

"We managed to track down all 36 people with a high risk [of contracting the deadly disease]. Lab tests and surveillance show they have not got MERS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome," Public Health Minister Dr Rajata Rajatanavin said yesterday.

The observation period took place at medical facilities in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Surat Thani, Krabi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Buri Ram.

Twenty people were allowed to return home yesterday including 12 foreigners.

"The rest are still under the 14-day surveillance," Rajata said.

According to Rajata, 154 people with a low risk of contracting the disease had contact with the Omani patient. These people are not required to stay at medical facilities.

However, they have been advised to take precautions to minimise the risk of spreading the disease if they contract it.

The Omani man is receiving treatment at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute. He has three relatives under the 14-day observation.

Rajata said the man's condition had improved.

"When lab tests show he will not spread the disease, we will move him out of the institute's airborne infection isolation room," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/20-people-in-contact-with-patient-get-all-clear-30263372.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-30