The outbreak in South Korea has resulted in 700 schools closed after the third death from infection by the Mers virus (click here), and nearly 1,400 people in quarantine (click here).
“We have not identified any cases of Mers in Phuket yet, but it is on our watchlist,” PPHO Chief Dr Kajornsak Kaewjarat confirmed to The Phuket News.
“We have health officers at Phuket Airport monitoring all arrivals. We are checking for any suspicious symptoms, including fever, cough and shortness of breath.
“Any persons found suffering acute symptoms will be placed in quarantine for an initial period of seven to 10 days.”
Health officials are paying particular attention to elderly passengers, Dr Kajornsak added.
“They are more susceptible to contracting the disease,” he said.
Phuket Airport Director Monrudee Gettuphan told The Phuket News that her staff were working together with health officials.
“If we receive any reports of passengers possibly being infected or carrying the disease, we will notify the health officials at the airport immediately,” she said.
“We have an emergency-response plan ready in case that situation arises.”