The Public Health Ministry remains on high alert for any cases of the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (Mers-CoV) after two people were cleared of having the infection.
Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin yesterday confirmed that no Mers-CoV cases have been found in Thailand, responding to Tuesday's news about two suspected patients in Samut Prakan and Lampang.
Regarding the two cases, the Department of Disease Control said the laboratory tests were carried out and no viral infection found. Both patients had returned from South Korea, felt ill and gone for medical checkups.
Speaking at the ministry, Dr Rajata said he has ordered state and private hospital operators nationwide to prepare Mers-CoV prevention measures including arranging a special zone for people with suspected symptoms, to avoid an outbreak.
Quarantine units have been set up in 69 hospitals under the Public Health Ministry nationwide.
Thailand must initiate disease prevention measures as there is a chance the virus will be transmitted by international travellers, Dr Rajata said.
The World Health Organisation has yet to declare restrictions on travel regarding the disease.
Dr Rajata urged air travellers with a cough or fever, travelling from areas with reported Mers-CoV cases such as the Middle East, Europe and some Asian countries, to inform flight attendants immediately to receive proper care if they believe they have caught the virus.
The Department of Health Support is asking for cooperation from private clinics to send patients with flu-like symptoms who have just returned from abroad to Public Health Ministry hospitals.
The ministry will also issue letters to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Sheikhul Islam Office, the Department of Religious Affairs, and tourism companies to cooperate with the ministry's guidelines for Mers-CoV prevention.
Department of Disease Control director-general Sopon Mekthon said the ministry was preparing to declare Mers-CoV as a dangerous communicable disease under the Communicable Disease Act.
The declaration will allow more effective disease prevention measures including a requirement for patients to report themselves to the Public Health Ministry within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, South Korean ambassador Jaeman Jeon said concerns about Mers-CoV have harmed tourism to his country and international exchanges even though transmission is not airborne and the WHO has advised there is no need for a travel ban.
However, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao have announced travel alerts after suffering Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) outbreaks several years ago, Mr Jaeman said.
Industry sources said in the past few weeks around 60 people have cancelled their trips to South Korea.
A source at a Korean airline said 400 bookings have been cancelled.