Health officials ordered to watch out for novel coronavirus among Thai hajj pilgrims

NEW YORK, September 27 (TNA) – Health officials who are accompanying Thai hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia have been ordered to watch out for the novel coronavirus 2012, of which the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned, although the new disease has not reached Thailand. Thai Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri, who is a member of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's entourage to attend the 67th United Nations General Assembly in New York from September 23-29, told TNA on Wednesday that he has instructed the doctors accompanying Thai hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia's Holy Mecca City to watch out for the novel coronavirus 2012, which is the same strain of the virus which previously caused regional outbreaks of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Wittaya said that he has issued the order after the WHO has warned of the possible spread of the new disease, as two patients were recently infected after returning from Saudi Arabia. The minister also suggested that Thai people take good care of their health during this rainy season although there has not any coronavirus case in Thailand. According to the public health minister, his ministry is, however, preventing Thai hajj pilgrims from transmitting the coronavirus in Thailand. (TNA)