Thailand confirms first case of MERS

Thailand has confirmed the first case of Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, coronavirus in the country’s history, according to a WHO press release.

The patient, a traveler from the Middle East, is also the first case of MERS to affect WHO’s South-East Asia Region. According to the release, WHO officials have urged other countries in the region to increase surveillance and ensure response programs are prepared for potential outbreaks.

“Strong health systems using strict infection control measures would be the key to prevent the spread of the virus and protect health care workers and others,” Poonam Khetrapal Singh, PhD, FRCP, a WHO regional director, said in a press release.

Earlier this week, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee convened to discuss the recent outbreak of MERS in South Korea. After identifying major factors contributing to the spread of MERS and confirming no genetic differences between Korean and Middle Eastern viruses, the committee determined that the outbreak did not meet the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

“The Republic of Korea has strongly initiated actions to bring this outbreak under control,” the organization wrote in a statement. “WHO does not recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions and considers screening at points of entry to be unnecessary at this time. Raising awareness about MERS and its symptoms among those traveling to and from affected areas is good public health practice.”

As of June 19, WHO has been notified of 1,334 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS coronavirus infection and at least 471 deaths worldwide.