Thailand confirms first Mers case

Thailand has confirmed its first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers), the deadly virus that has killed 24 people in South Korea.

The man - whose name has not been released - is now in quarantine at an infectious diseases facility outside the capital Bangkok.

Thai health officials said the 75-year-old from Oman was seeking treatment for a heart problem in Bangkok.

Nearly 60 people who came into contact with the patient have been identified.

That includes three relatives who travelled with him on the plane.

Thailand is a medical tourism hub, popular with patients from the Middle East.


"We advise the public not to panic because the patient and his family members were separated since the beginning," Thailand's Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin said.

"Our system is ready and we are monitoring the cases closely."

South Korea on Friday reported the 24th death from Mers and said there were now 166 people infected. There are thousands still in quarantine.

The number of new cases in recent days has been low, supporting claims by officials that infections are slowing.

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Margaret Chan, who is in Seoul, expressed optimism over South Korea's ability to contain the outbreak saying it was now "on a good footing" after an initially slow response.

"The Mers outbreak will be brought under control... although it may take a little longer than everyone would like to see," said Ms Chan.

The outbreak in South Korea began in May with a 68-year-old South Korean man who had travelled to the Middle East.


Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers)

• Mers is caused by a coronavirus, a type of virus which includes the common cold and Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome).
• First cases emerged in the Middle East in 2012, and the first death in Saudi Arabia in June that year.
• It is not known for certain how it is transmitted. It is possible the virus is spread in droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Patients have a fever, cough and breathing difficulties, but Mers can also cause pneumonia and kidney failure.
• Approximately 36% of reported patients with Mers have died - there is no vaccine or specific treatment.