Situation Report on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome : MERS
1 July 2015
1. Latest situation on 1 July 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 33 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 public panic caused by receiving incorrect informationSharing 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. MOPH reveals all contact cases will be dismissed from disease surveillance tonight.
Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, Deputy Director-General, Department of Disease Control gave information update on MERS situation during an interview in war room meeting. Tonight, both 16 high-risk contact cases and 52 low-risk contact cases will have been monitored for 14 days which meet the surveillance standard. Each high-risk contact cases will be thoroughly examined with laboratory test before going back home on 2 July 2015.
Thailand’s risk of MERS infections comes from two ways; contacting with confirmed case and travelers from affected areas. The former risk has been prevented and about to be eliminated tomorrow, leaving only the latter remains. At present, the situation in Republic of Korea is improving, no additional case found. The number of contact cases in Republic of Korea is around 2,000 and is expected to be successfully tracked. As for the situation in Middle East, additional cases are reported in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, people traveling to affected areas are still needed to be equipped with knowledge on proper self protection practice. The traveler screening system also needed to be strict. For those who are returning from affected areas, 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 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 and still remains in isolation room. His three relatives are in normal condition.
At the moment, the DDC Hotline service: 1422 is being abused, 31 calls were made by one person on 30 June 2015. People are requested to use the hotline service for consultation, transferring and urgent assistance. Do not spam calls as people who genuinely need help may be affected.
3. Surveillance for travelers returning from Middle East and Republic of Korea under disease investigation.
From 1 January to 30 June 2015, there were 134 people under disease investigation criteria and most of them travel from reported MERS affected countries. The number consists of 70 people traveling from Republic of Korea and 64 people traveling from Middle East. On June 30th, there were 3 people under disease investigation criteria; 1 person 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 1 July 2015, 83 calls were made and 23 calls were about MERS. The most frequently asked questions were; the symptoms, situations, transferring patients and sending patients for laboratory test, brochures giving information on MERS in other languages e.g. Chinese, Vietnamese.
5. Actions taken at Disease Control checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
- On 30 June 2015, 28,477 travelers entering Thailand have been screened with thermometer scan. Two travelers with fever found. They have no travel history to MERS or Ebola affected area.
- 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”.
************************ 1 July 2015
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