Thailand's first and only Mers vict

Thailand's first and only Mers victim declared virus-free
There has been little news of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) virus in Thailand for the past week and that is good.

The reason is that none of the three relatives of 75-year-old Omani man who wasdiagnosed with the virus on June 18 have become sick, nor have any of the 156 others quarantined as high-risk cases. All remain in good health.

Now, the Omani man himself has been declared free of the deadly virus.

Acting permanent secretary Surachet Satitramai said the latest test on the man found no sign of the virus and his condition had improved, although he still could not walk.

The Omani man, who arrived in Thailand on June 15th, is the only confirmed Mers case in Thailand and was treated for the infectious disease at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi, where his condition was described as"satisfactory" , according to Dr Surachet.

His condition has improved considerably, with better kidney function and increasedlung capacity.

Prasert Thongcharoen, a virologist who serves as an adviser to the Disease Control Department, said doctors and health personnel from leading medical universities will meet today to discuss the man's condition and whether he can leave a specialtreatment room and move to a recovery room.

Those in quarantine will continued to be watched until their 14-day observation ends this Thursday.