Cambodia on high alert after 1st case of MERS found in Thailand

Cambodia has been tightening health checks at international airports and major border checkpoints after its neighbouring Thailand found the first case of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) last week.

Diagnosis systems have been installed at main ports of entries, including Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, as well as Poipet border checkpoint with Thailand and Bavet border checkpoint with Vietnam, Cambodian Health Minister Mam Bunheng said on Tuesday during an inspection to a Thermo Scan Machine at Phnom Penh International Airport.

he said hospitals are also alerted to prepare in case of any suspected MERS case.

"So far, there is no sign of MERS identified in Cambodia," he told reporters, adding "However, we have to be on high alert because of many flight connections between Cambodia and South Korea, and Cambodia and Thailand."

He appealed to travelers, especially those coming from the Middle East countries, South Korea and Thailand, to report to health officials immediately if they develop the symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

MERS is a viral respiratory disease caused by coronavirus that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. The virus has hit South Korea since last month, killing 27 people in 175 infected cases.

Thailand reported last Thursday that it found the first case of MERS on a 75-year-old businessman from Oman.