Bangkok, 28 January, 2020 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide the latest update on the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) cases in Thailand.
As of today, the Ministry of Public Health has confirmed 14 cases in Thailand (13 Chinese and a Thai). Five of them (four Chinese and a Thai) recovered and returned home. The other nine Chinese patients remain at medical facilities.
The Ministry has confirmed that all 14 cases had not contracted the coronavirus infection in Thailand. Human-to-human transmission has not yet been reported in Thailand.
To prevent the spread of the 2019-nCoV in Thailand, health surveillance systems have been stepped up at the international points of entry, especially at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports. The screening now covers passengers and air crew on all flights from China.
Nationwide medical labs have been upgraded for a real-time RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) laboratory technique allowing blood test results to be obtained within three hours. This is part of the ongoing intensive screening and disease surveillance for the 2019-nCoV.
For regular updates on the 2019-nCoV situation in Thailand, tourists and travellers can visit https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/index.php, which includes the following guidelines:
• The 2019 novel coronavirus can be prevented using the principles for respiratory disease prevention, i.e., washing hands, wearing masks and avoiding contact with patients who have a respiratory disease.
• People can still travel to China; however, it is recommended to avoid visiting crowded places and making contact with patients who have respiratory symptoms. If this is unavoidable, people should wear a mask.
• If anyone has symptoms including coughing, sneezing, panting or a runny nose within 14 days after departing from Wuhan, China, please seek medical care at a hospital immediately and inform the doctor regarding the history of recent travel to China
• It is recommended to avoid visiting markets selling carcasses or live animals. If touching or handling live animals, people should wear gloves.
• Regularly wash hands with water and soap or use alcohol gel. It is also recommended to avoid using your hands to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Do not use or share personal stuff with others (i.e. handkerchief, glasses, and towels) since pathogens causing respiratory disease can be transmitted to other people through secretions.
• It is recommended to avoid eating uncooked food.
Once again, TAT would like to advise Thai and international travellers, who are travelling from affected areas in China within 14 days to seek immediate medical advice and treatment if they are experiencing respiratory symptoms including those mentioned above. For additional questions and assistance, please call the Department of Disease Control Hotline 1422 or Tourist Police Hotline 1155.
Credit infographic images: Thailand’s Department of Disease Control
