Health Ministry on alert after latest WHO report on coronavirus
Health Ministry on alert after latest WHO report on coronavirus
The World Health Organization yesterday reported that human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus is possible.
The report has prompted the Health Ministry to advise stricter checks at border checkpoints and airports across the Kingdom.
According to its website, a WHO delegation conducted a visit to China’s Wuhan city earlier this week to learn about China’s response to the atypical coronavirus at the Wuhan Tianhe Airport, Zhongnan hospital and the Hubei provincial centre for disease control.
“Data collected through detailed epidemiological investigation and through the deployment of the new [rRT-PCR] test kit [in China] suggests that human-to-human transmission is taking place,” WHO said. “More analysis of the epidemiological data is needed to understand the full extent of human-to-human transmission.”
“The delegation observed and discussed active surveillance processes, temperature screening at the airport, laboratory facilities, infection prevention and control measures at the hospital and its associated fever clinics, and the deployment of the rRT-PCR test kit to detect the virus,” it said.
Health Ministry spokesperson Or Vandine yesterday said the ministry has advised all provincial health departments to increase caution and strengthen outbreak prevention, especially in airports and border checkpoints.
“All checkpoints equipped with thermal scanners have to thoroughly monitor [travellers],” Ms Vandine said. “In case someone is suspected of contracting the virus, rooms have been prepared to isolate the person. Medical equipment for emergency cases have also been prepared.”
She said the ministry installed thermal scanners in international airports in Phnom Penh and the provinces of Preah Sihanouk and Siem Reap.
Ms Vandine said the scanners are also set up at border checkpoints in Svay Rieng, Banteay Meanchey and Kampot provinces.
She said the ministry prepared rooms to isolate patients in the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital in Phnom Penh and provincial hospitals in Preah Sihanouk and Siem Reap.
According to the Health Ministry’s CDC department, there have been 445 transmission cases, with 440 in China, two in Thailand, one in Japan, one in South Korea and one in the United States.
It said nine people have died in China and 30 patients have recovered.
“Do not stay near or close to patients with respiratory diseases or go to (countries) where the disease has spread,” Health Minister Mam Bung Heng said on Tuesday. “If someone suspects he or she contracted the virus, that person must seek immediate medical attention.”
Nhea Bunthorn, director of the Kampot provincial health department, yesterday said his department will follow ministry instructions.
According to a Health Ministry statement on Tuesday, although the Kingdom has not yet detected the virus that causes the pneumonia-like illness, everyone must be vigilant especially with the Lunar New Year and Khmer New Year celebrations in the upcoming months, when there will be a rise in travel and tourism in the region.
Source: Khmer Times
