Situation Report on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome: MERS
30 June 2015
1. Latest situation on 30 June 2015
1. One confirmed case found in Thailand
2. 154 contact cases found
3. Update global situation on 26 June 2015; 1,356 confirmed cases and 484 deaths in 26 countries. The update situation in Republic of Korea on 27 June 2015 ; 182 confirmed cases and 32 deaths.
4. People are requested not to trust rumors from any source. Information must be checked if it is correct before sharing it through the social media to prevent incorrect information that can cause panic. Sharing incorrect information is illegal according to Computer Crime Act. Please follow the news from the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). For any questions, please contact Department of Diseases Control (DDC) Hotline at 1422 for 24 hours.
2. Ministry of Public Health advises people with fever and coughing symptoms after returning from Middle East or Republic of Korea to go to see doctors immediately.
Dr. Sopon Mekthon, Director-General, Department of Disease Control gave information update on MERS situation during an interview in war room meeting. Report from Bureau of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control indicates that there are 16 high-risk contact cases remaining in the surveillance system, they are 3 Omani patient’s relatives and 13 medical and other health personnel. As for low-risk contact cases, 52 people are still under surveillance system and each of them will gradually out of the surveillance system when the set 14 days is due.
The situation in Republic of Korea tends continually improve as the mortality is now less than 30% while the number of contact cases is around 2,000. In Thailand, the measures for medical treatments, disease investigation, disease prevention and control and screening travelers from affected areas are being strictly and continually urged. Collaborations are well received from all parties.
However, MOPH wishes to remind those who are returning from affected areas namely Republic of Korea and Middle East, if having symptoms of fever or coughing, please wear a hygiene mask and go to see medical doctor and inform them of your travel history. Do not travel with public transport. Please call 1669 or DDC Hotline service 1422 for assistance.
As for the Omani patient who is being cared in airborne infection isolation room at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute, he is getting better and has no coughing symptom. However, he still needs medical treatments for his underlying heart disease and also respiratory disease. No infection found in the patient’s phlegm. His three relatives are in normal condition.
3. Surveillance for travelers returning from Middle East and Republic of Korea under disease investigation.
From 1 January to 29 June 2015, there were 131 people under disease investigation criteria and most of them travel from reported MERS affected countries. The number consists of 69 people traveling from Republic of Korea and 62 people traveling from Middle East. On June 29th, there were 3 people under disease investigation criteria; 1 people from Republic of Korea and 2 people from Middle East. All of them were sent for laboratory test.
4. Summary of DDC Hotline service: 1422.
In the period of 24 hours on 30 June 2015, 95 calls were made and 29 calls were about MERS. The most frequently asked questions were; the list of affected countries, knowledge about the disease, incubation period, practice and how to prevent oneself from being sick.
5. Actions taken at Disease Control checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
- On 29 June 2015, 27,791 travelers entering Thailand have been screened with thermometer scan. No traveler with fever found.
- Airlines with direct flights from risk areas are requested collaboration in notifying the passengers of the screening measures at the airport, and distribute health beware cards to passengers. Airlines are also advised to be strict with plane cleaning.
- Immigration is coordinated for sending any travelers from affected areas to the disease control checkpoints for screening before allow entering the country.
- Four Thermoscan devices are installed. Alcohol gel has been placed and regularly refilled more than 200 points all over the airport. Hygiene masks are adequately distributed at the information counters.
6. Recommendations on how to protect oneself from respiratory infections including MERS.
Generally, there is no risk of MERS infection for people in Thailand except those who travel to countries with endemic. The general practices for the people are:
1. Avoid close contact with any respiratory disease patients or those who are with coughing or sneezing symptoms.
2. Follow the principle for good hygiene, consuming well-cooked and warm food, using a separate spoon for sharing food and washing hands often with soap.
3. When having the following symptoms; fever, cough, sneezing, nasal discharge and sore throat, people must avoid close contact with others. Covering the mouth and nose with tissue paper when coughing or sneezing is encouraged. Discard used tissue paper in a closed bin and wash hands. Wearing hygiene mask is required when necessary. For those who returned from affected areas, if having mentioned symptoms within 14 days after returning, go to see medical doctor or health care personnel in the area and inform them of your travel history.
4. People who has fever or cough but did not travel to the affected areas has no need to be overly concerned. Go to see the doctor or contact DDC Hotline 1422 for 24 hours. News and updates can be followed on Facebook page, “ไทยสู้เมอร์ส”.
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