Breadcrumbs Image

The Ministry of Public Health reveals the Omani patient is cured of MERS.



The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) revealed the result of the Omani patient’s treatment which was completed in accordance with the standard procedures. Experts indicate that the patient is cured of MERS. The laboratory tests have shown negative result for 5 times, the latest result was on 1st of July 2015. Nevertheless, measures for surveillances and travelers screening must remain strict as travelers are still coming from the affected areas. 

Today (3 July 2015), at Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Prof. Dr. Rajata Rajatanavin, Minister of Public Health with, Dr. Sopon Mekthon, Director-General, Department of Disease Control, Mr. Abdullah Saleh Ahmed Al-Maimani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Bangkok, Dr Richard Brown, Acting WHO representative to Thailand, DR. Chalerm Harnphanich, President of the Private Hospitals Association and  Dr. Num Tanthuwanit, Medical Director of Bumrungrad International Hospital joined in a press conference and announce the result of care for the MERS patient and the contact cases, and the collaboration model among concerned agencies for responses to future emerging diseases.
Prof. Dr. Rajata Rajatanavin stated that regarding a confirmed case of MERS, the 75 years old Omani man found in Thailand on 18 June 2015 including 176 contact cases which would be dismissed after 14-days surveillance. The contact cases are in normal condition and no MERS infection found with phlegm test. As for the Omani patient who was cared in airborne infection isolation room at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute according to the standard procedures, experts on infectious diseases and diagnosis have determined that he is no longer a MERS patient. The patient’s condition was improving; he has been without fever for 15 days and breathes without ventilator for 5 days now. His lung x-ray examination shows much better result. The patient is also able to walk. The patient’s throat examinations have been indicating negative result for five times, the last test was conducted on 1 July 2015. The three relatives of the patients are in normal condition and examinations also display negative result. The result of the last examination done on July 1st was also negative. The patient is recommended to receive treatment for his underlying diseases though it is up to the patient’s decision on when and where to do it.
Similar to other countries, Thailand still faces threats of MERS and other emerging diseases as traveler are moving in and out of the country and traveling to and from affected areas all the time. Moreover, Thailand is also a Medical Hub, thus a destination for foreigner patients. Disease surveillance system must be strong with solid travelers screening at the country’s points of entry.  Hospitals and communities must strengthen infection prevention measures in both public and private hospitals. MOPH also instruct the Provincial Public Health Offices to conduct inspection of private hospitals and clinics to ensure that they comply with MOPH’s measures for preparedness and responses to future emerging disease.   
July 1/7 *****************   3 July 2558
 


   
   


View 13    03/07/2558   ข่าวเพื่อมวลชน    สำนักสารนิเทศ