Thailand remains alert against coronavirus

BANGKOK, September 26 (TNA) - Concerned over any, probably, outbreak of the novel coronavirus 2012 in Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health has ordered hospitals nationwide to take precautions, particularly while treating patients from the Middle East where two patients were recently infected with the new virus. Virus-related authorities of the ministry's Department of Disease Control met experts from educational institutes and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Bangkok on Wednesday to discuss the recent discovery of the novel coronavirus overseas. The authorities have not yet concluded all the symptoms of the new disease, which causes both mild and severe respiratory illness. Dr. Khamnuan Ungchoosak, an expert of the Department of Disease Control, acknowledged that the coronavirus from a dead patient in Saudi Arabia was very similar to that found in another Qatari patient who was treated in London, but the virus was different from the one which caused the severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS previously. Dr. Khamnuan said, however, that thermal scans on international travelers appear to be unnecessary for the time being, as no patients with the coronavirus have been detected in Thailand, but his ministry will soon distribute leaflets on a proper guidance to prevent any infection with the novel coronavirus 2012 in Thai, English and Arabic to the international visitors, thanks to cooperation from concerned embassies. Thailand normally welcomes about 10,000 visitors from the Middle East monthly, some 6,000 of them are Saudi Arabians. According to the senior Thai health official, the annual Hajj pilgrimage of Muslims worldwide in Saudi Arabia's Holy Mecca City can continue, as there are health officials to take good care of pilgrims. Meanwhile, Thailand is complying with the WHO's instructions in order to cope with the disease, including special surveillances on visitors from Saudi Arabia and Qatar and those with severe pneumonia. As there has not yet any medicine for the new disease, the Thai Ministry of Public Health's Department of Medical Services offers palliative care and tries to prevent all infectious diseases. These measures are particularly directed to private hospitals in Bangkok and Phuket, in which a number of foreign visitors are served. (TNA)