Situation Report on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome: MERS 26 June 2015

 Situation Report on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome: MERS

26 June 2015

1. Latest situation on 26 June 2015

1. One confirmed case found in Thailand

2. 156 contact cases found

3. Update global situation on 20 June 2015; 1,338 confirmed cases and 475 deaths.  The update situation in Republic of Korea on 25 June 2015; 180 confirmed cases and 29 deaths. 

4. Do not trust rumors from any source especially rumors from social media.  Please check if the information is correct before forwarding it, and 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. The Ministry of Public Health has been tracking most of the high risk group people who made close contact with the confirmed case.

Dr. Sopon Mekthon, Director-General, Department of Disease Control gave information update on MERS surveillance, prevention and control progress during an interview in war room meeting. As of now, there are 156 contact cases in Thailand and 107 of them have been tracked. Most of people who made close contact with the confirmed case have also been tracked. Currently, all persons being tracked are in normal condition. Current epidemiology data indicates that contact cases will show symptoms within one week after contact, if they were infected. At this time, the contact cases have been tracked for more than a week now. Experts suggest that the chance of the contact cases being tracked to turn out infected should be slim.

Naturally, people under disease investigationcriteria can be found everyday as each day travelers are coming from reported affected areas such as Middle East countries and Republic of Korea regularly. Some of them may have fever or coughing symptoms from certain causes but all of them will be diagnosed with laboratory test. People are not to be panic as these are the standard procedures of disease surveillance and prevention of Thai-MOPH.

As for the Omani patient who is being cared in Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute, he is getting better. He is able to get up and able to eat. His lungs x-ray examination also shows better result. Three patient’s relatives are in normal condition. All people under disease investigation criteria are also in normal condition.

3. Travelers returning from Middle East and Republic of Korea under disease investigation.

From 1 January to 25 June 2015, there were 95 people under disease investigation criteria and most of them travel from reported MERS affected countries.  The number consists of 55 people traveling from Republic of Korea and 40 people traveling from Middle East.  On June 25th, there were 13 people under disease investigation criteria; 6 people from Republic of Korea and 7 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 25 June 2015, 124 calls were made and 59 calls were about MERS.  The most frequently asked questions were; knowledge about the disease, practice and how to prevent oneself from being sick, what to do if feel sick after returning fromRepublic of Korea and whether using cosmetic from Republic of Korea will cause infection.

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

- On 25 June 2015, 31,580 travelers entering Thailand have been screened with thermometer scan.  Four travelers with fever found, though they’re not traveling from MERS or Ebola affected area.  However, their names, addresses and telephone numbers were recorded for monitoring according to disease surveillance system.

- Airlines with direct flights 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 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.

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 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 Facebookpage, “ไทยสู้เมอร์ส”.

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