PHUKET: The Phuket international aiport has been equipped with a machine to screen all passengers arriving from Wuhan, China for a new strain of coronavirus, according to Rewat Areerob, assistant secretary to Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha.

Mr Rewat said this after an inspection of the screening Chinese tourists from the city of Wuhan, the origin of the outbreak.

A thermoscanner has been installed to check all arrivals from Wuhan. Anyone found with a temperature above 38 degrees Celcius will be quickly sent to hospital, he said.

"Phuket is prepared for it. So far no tourists arriving here from Wuhan have been found with the virus. Thailand has the potential to contain it," Mr Rewat said.

Thanis Sermkaew, the Phuket public health chief, said the latest strain of coronavirus broke out in Wuhan. About 25% of those infected developed a serious condition. So far 134 persons have been infected by the disease there and one of them died, he said.

The screening for the virus at Phuket airport has been underway since Jan 5 as there are several direct flights per day from Wuhan to the island resort province, he added.

Mr Thanis said anyone who arrives from Wuhan and has a cough, a sore throat or difficulty breathing should immediately contact public health officials for examination and proper treatment.