MERS patient is in stable condition: Public Health Ministry

BANGKOK, Feb 6 (TNA) -- Public Health Ministry stated that the Omani naional earlier diagnosed with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is now in a stable condition. The ministry affirmed that the 71-year old from Oman has been infected with MERS and had been in close contact with 40 other people. The World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a report on February 2, informing that 1,638 patients have contracted MERS, with 587 deaths in 26 countries across the world. Director-general of Department of Disease Control Amnuay Gajeena said the condition of the infected patient remained stable today, where he is being treated in a separate ward. He said the patient is able to eat normally but still needed oxygen when he has difficulties breathing. His mucus was examined and the result still came back positive for MERS. Meanwhile, 40 people whom had been in close contact with the patient had all been located and 26 were put under an observation period of 14 days to check whether any of them have contracted the disease. The Department head said 13 people have already been released as they have completed their observation period on February 5 and were found negative for MERS. However, one of the patient's relatives has been kept for further observation. (TNA)