BANGKOK, 12 June 2015 – The Ministry of Public Health will declare MERS as a dangerous communicable disease within 1-2 days.
According to Dr. Surachet Satitramai, acting permanent secretary of the ministry of public health, automatic body temperature sensors have been installed at all international airports to screen inbound passengers. Airlines are also providing MERS-related suggestions to passengers. Dr. Surachet said the measures currently employed to prevent an outbreak of MERS in Thailand were the same measures previously used to prevent Ebola outbreaks. People traveling into Thailand from 25 countries with MERS cases who find themselves coughing or with a fever while on the airplane should report their condition to the crew and request a face mask.
Dr. Surachet indicated that although no MERS cases have been found in Thailand, hospitals are setting up quarantine quarters for patients with fever and flu-like symptoms, as preparation toward limiting any outbreaks. 69 hospitals under the health ministry’s jurisdiction have already prepared such quarantine quarters.
