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Situation Report on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome: MERS 7 July 2015



 

Situation Report on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome: MERS
7 July 2015
1. Latest situation on 7 July 2015.
1. No additional confirmed case of MERS in Thailand.
2. Global situation update: from 30 September 2012 to 5 July 2015, 1,367 confirmed cases and 487 deaths were found in 26 countries. The Republic of Korea’s situation updates on 5 July 2015; 186 confirmed cases and 33 deaths.
3. 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 information. Sharing 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 urges hospitals to stringent surveillance and look out for people under disease investigation criteria. Screening measures for checkpoints remain active.
Dr. Sopon Mekthon, Director-General, Department of Disease Control, gave information updates that the traveler screening and surveillance system are continually active. The screening system at international disease control checkpoints is running 24 hours with more than 30,000 people being screened each day. Disease surveillance and investigation are strictly performed for people under investigation criteria and respiratory patients especially those who are classified as risk group such as severely pneumonia patients, multiple patients who get ill at the same time, health personnel, families with a patient who has travel history to affected areas and people who returned from Middle East. 
Those who returned from affected areas, if having symptoms of fever or coughing within 14 days after returning, are suspected to be infected. As MERS is a dangerous communicable disease according to MOPH’s announcement, people who suspected to be infected must go to see medical doctor immediately for their own safety as mortality of MERS patients is high and to prevent the disease from spreading.
 
3. Surveillance for travelers returning from Middle East and Republic of Korea under disease investigation.
From 1 January to 6 July 2015, there were 158 people under disease investigation criteria traveled from reported MERS affected countries. The number consists of 74 people traveling from Middle East and 84 people traveling from Republic of Korea. On July 6th, there were 6 people under disease investigation criteria; 5 people from Republic of Korea and 1 person from Middle East. All of them were sent for laboratory test and investigation.     
 
4. Summary of DDC Hotline service: 1422.
On 6 July 2015, 67 calls were made and 11 calls were about MERS. The most frequently asked questions were about MERS situation and whether traveling to affected areas are allowed. On a side note; a question is raised whether MOPH has revoked the MERS surveillance measures.                                                             
5. Actions taken at Disease Control checkpoints on 6 July 2015.
- At the Suvarnabhumi Airport: 29,785 travelers entering Thailand have been screened with thermometer scan. Six travelers with fever found though they have no history of traveling to MERS or Ebola affected areas. After rechecking their body temperatures, none of them had fever.  
- At the Don Mueang Airport: 283 travelers entering Thailand (212 of them traveled with direct flights from affected areas) have been screened with thermometer scan. No traveler with fever found.
- At the Phuket Airport: 1,145 travelers entering Thailand with 5 direct flights from affected areas have been screened with thermometer scan. No traveler with fever found.
- At the Chiang Mai Airport: 216 travelers entering Thailand with one direct flight from affected areas have been screened with thermometer scan. No traveler with fever found.
- At the Nongkhai border checkpoint: 90 travelers entering Thailand from affected areas have been screened with thermometer scan. No traveler with fever found.
- Health beware cards are distributed at every checkpoints. Immigration is coordinated for sending any travelers from affected areas to the disease control checkpoints for screening before allow entering the country.
 
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”.
 
********************************* 7 July 2015
 
 
 


   
   


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