Facts about Coronavirus 2012 Species (MERS-CoV)
1. The MERS-CoV infection by the World Health Organization on the 1st of June 2015 found a confirmed 1,154 infected patients and 431 deaths among 25 countries.
2. The 5 countries in May 2015 that had reports included Saudi Arabia of the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Qatar, South Korea and China.
3. MERS-CoV infections leads to acute and severe respiratory infections.
Facts about Coronavirus 2012 Species (MERS-CoV)
1. The MERS-CoV infection by the World Health Organization on the 1st of June 2015 found a confirmed 1,154 infected patients and 431 deaths among 25 countries.
2. The 5 countries in May 2015 that had reports included Saudi Arabia of the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Qatar, South Korea and China.
3. MERS-CoV infections leads to acute and severe respiratory infections.
4. Symptoms include high fever, coughing, sore throat and dyspnea contracted by sneezing and coughing.
5. Thailand is at risk as Thai people travel to the Middle East for reasons such as religious ceremonies, work, tourism and business for example.
6. At present, the World Health Organization has not prohibited travelling to countries with confirmed infections.
7. People travelling to the Middle East are advised to follow the following advice by the Department of Disease Control including:
7.1 People with personal illnesses should wear a mask to prevent infections when in crowded areas, avoiding visits to animal farms/markets, avoid close contract with others with coughing or sneezing symptoms, avoid contract with animals especially camels and avoid drinking raw camel milk.
7.2 For the general public, to eat cooked food, using central spoons, regularly washing hands with soap and avoid contract with ill people.
7.3 If you have symptoms with a high fever, coughing or runny nose, wear a mark to protect and prevent spreading and rest at home. If the symptoms do not get better within 2 days, quickly seek medical help and report any recent travelling abroad. Those with personal illnesses such as diabetes, acute kidney failure, chronic lung disease and weak immune systems to quickly seek medical advice without waiting for 2 days as there is higher risks of serious complexity.
8. The Department of Disease Control has a hotline at 1422 available 24 hours, or the website can be viewed accessed http://beid.ddc.moph.go.th. The Labour Office in Abu Dhabi can also be contacted by telephone at +9712557 6833 or +957 2557 6844, or email at poonsakp@hotmail.com
Division of Labour, Royal Thai Embassy, Abu Dhabi
