Thailand’s Public Health MERS ready

BANGKOK Thailand’s Public Health Ministry says it has taken precautionary steps to prevent the spread of MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) virus into this country following an outbreak of the disease in South Korea.
Acting public health permanent secretary Dr Surachet Sathitiniramai, told the National News Bureau of Thailand that precautionary steps included a watch out for suspected patients who have high fever, coughs, vomiting and diarrhoea and have a history of returning from the Middle East.
If a suspected patient has been identified, he or she will be placed under the care of a hospital or heath office and the same measures used in controlling SARS virus will be applied, said Dr Surachet.
inside no 6The Diseases Control Department has been assigned work out an advisory for about 10,400 Thai Muslims who will join pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia later this year. Another advisory is also planned for the general public who are to visit high-risk areas.
Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, deputy director-general of Diseases Control Department, disclosed that MERS virus in South Korea was spreading but was limited to people who had been in direct and close contact with the victim.
South Korea is a major source of tourist arrivals for Thailand, but the bigger risk involves Thais who work in the Middle East or pilgrimage related travel to the Middle East.

sourced:ttrweekly.com