Statement TCEB ASSURES THE NEW MERS CASE IN THAILAND IS UNDER CONTROL

On behalf of the Thai business events industry, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau or TCEB would like to assure that there is no spread of the MERS virus in Thailand. All business events scheduled for Thailand continue to be held as usual.

According to the statement released yesterday (24 January 2016) by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, a 71-year-old Omani man from the Middle East was tested positive for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). He arrived in Bangkok on Friday (22 January 2016) and was later detected for the virus. He is currently being quarantined and treated at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in greater Bangkok. In connection to this patient, 37 people are being monitored for the virus.

However, the Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that there is no spread of the MERS virus in Thailand. The first case of MERS in the country appeared in June 2015 when a 75-year-old, also an Omani man, was tested positive for the virus. He was declared free from the virus and was allowed to leave the kingdom about two weeks after being treated. The disease did not spread to others.

For the benefit of Thai and foreign MICE travellers, TCEB would like to recommend the guidelines from the Ministry of Public Health as a preventive measure against the virus.

The Ministry has advised the public to adhere to sanitary practices to protect themselves against the virus. For those travelling to MERS-affected countries, there are advised to avoid non-essential travel to MERS-affected areas, such as, hospitals; avoid contact with patients or people who develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as, cough or shortness of breath, avoid contact with wild animals, do not drink camel milk, adhere to sanitary practices. For those travelling from countries with confirmed MERS cases, there are told to monitor their health for 14, and if develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, they must immediately contact the local or state health department. For more information, the public can contact the Department of Disease Control Call Centre 1422.

Meanwhile, TCEB would like to share that Thailand’s national carrier, Thai Airways International (THAI), has been implemented on going preventive MERS measures, including monitoring passengers before check-in and in some cases may be required to present a doctor’s letter of health certification; monitoring passengers during the flight; spraying antibacterial solution inside the aircraft while the aircraft is parked at the airport; deep cleaning and disinfecting 36 touch points in the passenger cabin; carrying personal protective equipment on board and educate staff about preventive health care; checking containers and prevent delivery of suspected goods; and selecting raw materials and using clean meal preparation methods to avoid risks of infection.

As the government’s flagship body for the MICE sector, TCEB will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.

Should travellers currently in Thailand require any further information, please call TCEB office: +66 (0) 2694 6000, TCEB call centre at 1105 (within Thailand only), visit www.businesseventsthailand.com or contact info@tceb.or.th.

# # #

For more information please contact:

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organisation)

Ms Arisara Thanuplang    Tel +66 2 694 6095    Email: arisara_t@tceb.or.th

Ms Kanokwan Kadeedang    Tel +66 2 694 6006    Email: kanokwan_k@tceb.or.th

Ms Kwanchanok Otton    Tel +66 2 694 6096    Email: kwanchanok_o@tceb.or.th

Ms Paniyada Mulalin    Tel + 662 694 6091    Email: paniyada_m@tceb.or.th