Situation Report on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome: MERS 23 June 2015

Situation Report on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome:
MERS 23 June 2015

1. Latest situation on 23 June 2015

1.1. One infected case found in Thailand
1.2. 163 contact cases found
1.3. Update global situation on 20 June 2015; 1,338 infected cases and 475 deaths. In Republic of Korea; 172 infected cases and 27 deaths
1.4. Do not trust rumors from any source especially rumors from social media.  Please check if the information is correct before forwarding it. For any questions, please contact Department of Diseases Control (DDC) Hotline at 1422 for 24 hours.

2. Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) declares all sanatoriums prohibited from denying patient admission and transferring patients with public transportation. Violators will be subject to penalty in accordance with the Communicable Diseases Act.

Dr. Surachet Satitniramai, Acting Permanent Secretary of Public Health, Dr.Wachira Pengjuntr, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Public Health and Dr. Sopon  Mekthon, Director-General, Department of Disease Control gave information on MERS surveillance, prevention and control progress during an interview in war room meeting.  Today, Ministry of Public Health has declared orders to health officers according to the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2523 (1980) as follows, if a suspected case has been found, the MOPH must be informed immediately, denying patient admission is prohibited, if the patients need to be transferred, they must be transported with infection controlled ambulance, public transportation is prohibited.  Failure to comply will result in punishment of either 2,000 – 10,000 baht fine or not exceeding 6 months imprisonment or both. Provincial Governors, Chief of Provincial Health Officers, Hospital Directors, Disease Control Center Directors and Director-General of Department of Disease Control are appointed as Health Officers.

Moreover, the travel agents managing pilgrimage journey to Saudi Arabia are informed to register and report name list of those who will travel for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage to Provincial Health Officers, District Health Officer and Director of Tambol Health Promoting Hospital in order to monitor and surveillance when they return to Thailand. 

The Omani patient who is being cared in Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute remains in the same condition, the patient is able to eat. Three patient’s relatives are in normal condition.

The taxi drivers who are said to pick up patients from the two private hospitals are found and sent for laboratory test. The test shows negative result.

However, there is still a chance for Thailand to find more cases for MERS since Thailand is an open country. Travelers are regularly coming in and out of the country all the time. The people who returned from affected areas within 14 days are requested collaboration, if having symptoms of fever, coughing or sore throat, please stay isolated and go to see the medical doctor. If transportation assistance is needed, please call 1669. Do not travel with public transport.  
 
3. Travelers returning from Middle East and Republic of Korea under disease investigation.

From 1 January to 22 June 2015, there have been 58 travelers entering Thailand, 35 travelers from Republic of Korea and 23 travelers from Middle East. The test results of all travelers are negative.  For June 22nd, there are 3 people returned from Republic of Korea and 2 people returned from Middle East.  All travelers are sent to diagnose with laboratory test.

4. Summary of DDC Hotline service: 1422.

In the period of 24 hours on 22 June 2015, 167 calls were made and 87 calls are about MERS. The most frequently asked questions are; what to do when returning from affected area? Is 14 days isolation counted as taking leave? MERS symptoms, treatment and vaccine and disease prevention measure in schools.

5. Actions taken at Disease Control checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

- On 22 June 2015, has screened 27,788 travelers entering Thailand with thermometer scan, no traveler with fever found.
- Airlines with direct flight from risk areas are requested collaboration in notifying the passengers of the screening measure 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 traveler from affected areas to the disease control checkpoints for screening before allowing entering the country.
- 4 Thermoscans are installed. Alcohol gel was placed more than 200 points all over the airport. Hygiene masks are distributed at information counters.

6. Recommendation on how to protect oneself from respiratory infections including MERS.

There is no risk of MERS infection for people in Thailand generally except those who travel to countries with endemic. The general practices for the people are:
   1. Avoid close contact with respiratory disease patient 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 these symptoms, fever, cough, sneezing, nasal discharge and sore throat, avoid close contact with others. Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when coughing or sneezing. Discard used tissue paper in a closed bin and wash hands. Wear hygiene mask. For those who traveled to affected areas, if having mentioned symptoms, go to see the 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 expose to the affected area has no need to overly concern. 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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