Thailand reports 2nd MERS case in a man from Oman

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand reports 2nd MERS case in a man from Oman

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand has reported its second confirmed case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, detected in a 71-year-old man from Oman who arrived in Bangkok on Friday.

Thailand's Public Health Ministry announced Sunday that the man is in stable condition at an infectious disease center in Bangkok's outskirts. His children are also being quarantined as well. The authorities have identified 252 people the patient came into contact with, and are seeking 37 they consider at high risk.

It is the second case of MERS in Thailand. The first was a 75-year-old Omani man who was hospitalized last June and released several weeks later after recovering.

The World Health Organization says the viral respiratory disease has killed at least 586 people since 2012.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-01-24

[clockman]

Which is a fraction compared with Thai road deaths!

[Classic Ray]

Except Thai road deaths are not infectious and don't threaten the rest of the population.

[Felt 35]

Except Thai road deaths are not infectious and don't threaten the rest of the population.

No but it dont make it better that its inherited.

[Prbkk]

Which is a fraction compared with Thai road deaths!

Yes, almost an element of genetic predisposition involved

[NeverSure]

Except Thai road deaths are not infectious and don't threaten the rest of the population.

Really. I hadn't noticed that.

[webfact]

Second confirmed MERS case announced by Public Health Ministry



BANGKOK: -- A man from Oman who arrived in Bangkok on Friday was today announced by the Ministry of Public Health to be the second confirmed MERS- CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus) case in Thailand.

Public Health Minister Dr Piyasakol Sakonsattayatorn told a Press conferecnce this morning that the 71-year Omani patient received medical treatment for fever and cough in Oman for a week before he arrived in Thailand on January 22 for medical treatment at Bamrungrad hospital.

Laboratorial tests at Bamrungrad and Chulalongkorn hospitals confirmed the patient was infected with MERS- CoV and was transferred to Bamrasnaradura hospital for treatment, said the minister, adding that the third test conducted by the Medical Science Department also showed the same result.

He disclosed that the patient was conscious, could eat, appeared tired and was given oxygen and medication to treat lung infection. He is separated from the other patients.

Dr Piyasakol said that the next measure that the ministry would do is to track down altogether 238 people who were in contact with the patient. These include 218 passengers and crews of the same flight with the patient, his relative who travelled with him, a taxi driver, one hotel staff and 30 hospital staffers.

Of all the 238 people, 37 of them are put in the high risk group who have to be placed under close watch by medical staff at a place already reserved for them for 14 days which are the period for the incubation of the virus.

The high risk group comprises the patient’s relative, the taxi driver, 23 passengers, a hotel staff and 11 hospital staffers.

Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr Sophon Mekthong said that Thailand has had working experience in dealing with MERS cases. He pleaded with members of the public not to panic and to take precautions by cleaning their hands more often and avoid sharing the same spoons with the other people.

Those who returned from countries where MERS is spreading should immediately see doctors if they have fever and cough after 14 days of their arrivals. Or they can call Communicable Diseases Control Department at 1422.
Tags: 239 people to be tracked down, 37 in risk group, Bamrasnaradura hospital, Dr Piyasakol Sakonsattayatorn, Ministry of Public Health, Omani man, second MERS- CoV case.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/147897


-- Thai PBS 2016-01-25

[webfact]

PM advises against panic regarding Thai MERS patient

BANGKOK, 25 January 2016 (NNT) – Prime Minister’s Office Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd disclosed that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had been informed of the detection of a patient with MERS and urges the public to continue monitoring news and not to be panicked.

The Prime Minister also asked the public to have confidence in the country’s public health services, as the Ministry of Public Health has a good screening system which can identify the symptoms of MERS in patients. The Ministry of Public Health also has a standard treatment and outbreak control system which is internationally recognized.

The Prime Minister remains concerned about the public's well-being and urges everyone to take care of their own health. If any suspected symptoms occur, each individual should immediately seek medical attention and call the Department of Disease Control 1422 Hotline, operating 24 hours a day.


-- NNT 2016-01-25

[MaxLee]

"PM advises against panic regarding Thai MERS patient"

Yeah, we get it. Don't panic, save face until it's too late....

[SOTIRIOS]

*** I read in International News that it was the same man from June and that he had been in contact with hundreds of people since then....

[FloridaExport]

Except Thai road deaths are not infectious and don't threaten the rest of the population.

You don't think that Thai driving habits threaten the entire population?

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

UH OH!!!

I would not have worried about MERS at all until a Thai official tells me not to worry. Now I am scared shitless!!!

Whenever a Thai official speaks out you know it is more likely that the polar opposite of what they are saying is much closer to the truth..

[sawadee1947]

" all under control"? 5555555

[Jonmarleesco]

'... the Ministry of Public Health has a good screening system which can identify the symptoms of MERS in patients ... [it] also has a standard treatment and outbreak control system which is internationally recognized.' Sounds suspiciously like the usual BS.