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.
TravelMole Editorial Team
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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025