MERS inevitable in Singapore, minister says
After the first confirmed case of MERS in Southeast Asia, Singapore’s Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said the virus is almost certain to arrive on Singapore’s shores at some point, due to its status as a global air transport hub.
It echoes similar comments made by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong a week ago.
Thailand announced its first MERS case – a 75-year old man who had arrived from Oman who was at a Thai hospital seeking treatment for heart disease.
Bumrungrad hospital is noted for treating medical tourists.
The death toll in South Korea is now at 25, which puts the fatality rate from confirmed MERS cases at 14.5%, the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare said.
"Given the current developments, we have judged that it has levelled off, but we need to watch further spread, further cases from so-called intensive control hospitals", said Ministry official Kwon Deok-cheol.
Minister Gan said repeated reminders to stay vigilant for warning signs of MERS have been issued to hospitals and local doctors but he did not say whether temperature screening would be expanded to arriving air travellers from Thailand.
After Thai authorities revealed details of the first MERS case, shares in Thai tourism companies, including airlines and hotels fell.
Airports of Thailand shares fell by more than 4% following the news, despite no new reported cases of the virus in the country.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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