Thailand MOH Confirms 1st Imported Case Of Novel Coronavirus

Credit Thai MOH

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In the wee hours this morning newshounds at FluTrackers (h/t Tetano & Shiloh)  picked up initial  reports media reports of a Chinese traveler, recently from Wuhan, who has reportedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Thailand.

It took a few minutes, but I was able to find the official statement from  Thailand's  Ministry of Health, that corroborates the story. 

As you'll see, machine translations from the Thai language can be a little kludgy, but - assuming the test results are indeed correct - we do seem to have the first - apparently mild - exported case of the emerging nocel coronavirus outside of China.

(Translation)
The Ministry of Health has emphasized that there is currently no outbreak. Surveillance measures Prevention and control of Thai disease. Found early, early treatment

Ministry of Public Health Reiterated that there is currently no outbreak of a new strain of the corona virus. Thailand has the potential for both surveillance measures. Prevent disease control Screening and screening patients quicker Get early treatment Revealed that a patient confirmed the infection of a new species of coronary virus traveling from Wuhan, the first one detected outside China. At this time, no fever. And ready to return to the country

Today (13 January 2020) at the Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Province, Mr. Anutin Charnwirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Along with Dr. Satit Patu-Techa, Deputy Minister of Public Health Dr. Sukhum Kanchanaphimai, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health Dr. Suwanchai (MD) Wattana Yingcharoenchai Director-General of the Department of Disease Control Doctor Opas Karwarin Pong Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences And Dr. Daniel Kurtace, Representative of the World Health Organization in Thailand Press release on surveillance measures Prevention and control of a new strain of corona virus.

Mr Anutin said that Thailand has implemented surveillance measures for screening patients traveling from Wuhan city since January 3, 2016. 2020 at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Don Mueang, Phuket and Chiang Mai, as well as surveillance at public and private hospitals. All 12 criteria have been met, with most being infected with seasonal influenza. 8 patients were treated with a high fever, detected by a thermo-scan at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Admitted to the negative pressure disease separation room Bamrasnaradura Institute on January 8, 2020. The results of laboratory tests on January 12, 2020 found a new strain of the corona virus. Which is the first in Thailand and the first detected outside of China Currently healed And ready to return to the country At this time, no new strains of the corona virus infection have been found in Thailand. And there is a surveillance for all medical personnel who provide care Found that no one was infected with this

"The Prime Minister has already learned You have given the policy of asking people to provide true information. The government is ready to support information and encourage public health care providers to look after this situation. Asking the public to not panic Finding patients is an effective means of our surveillance system. Confident that we can control the situation very well, "said Anutin

Mr Anutin added that The Ministry of Public Health has the potential and readiness in public health. There is an international standard for diagnosis and medical care. There is close coordination with the World Health Organization. International agency for infectious diseases All related agencies such as the Ministry of Transport Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Tourism and Sports National Police Agency And departments within the airport Join hands to build trust among citizens and tourists Raise surveillance measures and prevent the spread of disease By screening plane passengers on the direct route from Wuhan city to all 4 international airports, surveillance in both public and private hospitals. Including communities in tourist areas People can continue to travel as usual. If traveling back from the outbreak area of ​​Wuhan within 14 days and have fever, sore throat, mucus, cough, sputum or wheezing Ask to see a doctor immediately Or notify the Ministry of Public Health Department of Disease Control Hotline
13 January 2020

While this is the first known case to be detected outside of Wuhan China - and will certainly reinvigorate this news cycle - with 41 confirmed cases in Wuhan,  it is not all that surprising.  Now that laboratory testing is becoming readily available, we'll get a much better idea of the geographic spread - and also the range of illness - this new virus produces.

Stay tuned.