Da Nang, and Viet Nam as a whole, is now maintaining high vigilance against the developments of the Middle East respiratory syndrome caused by the Corona virus (MERS-CoV), and giving recommendations on preventive measures to the public, following the information that the Republic of Korea recently reported the first case in 2018.

A group of doctors and nurses from the city’s Centre for International Health Quarantine being on duty at the city's airport to detect any suspected epidemic cases.

Focus is being on tightening the medical quarantine procedures at the international airport and the port.

To date, no suspected, probable or confirmed cases of MERS-CoV have been recorded in Da Nang, or in Viet Nam as a whole. 

Currently, passengers arriving in the city are still being required to complete medical declarations and have their body temperature checked at the Da Nang International Airport and the Da Nang Port. The aim is to promptly detect anyone suspected of carrying the disease, and prevent any possible outbreak from occurring in the city.

In addition, checks have been introduced in the community in order to promptly detect anyone arriving in the city by road and suspected of carrying this disease.

Any suspected MERS-CoV air and cruise ship passengers have been put under supervision in accordance with the regulations of the Vietnamese Ministry of Health.

The processes involved are blood sampling, epidemiological investigations, clinical examinations and isolation.

Any MERS-CoV suspects must be transferred to the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the Da Nang General Hospital for further testing and treatment. 

Anyone who may have been exposed to the MERS-CoV patients will be put under supervision in accordance with the regulations of the Vietnamese Ministry of Health.

The hospital is now operating isolation rooms, stored medicines, and prepared medical equipment and facilities to quickly respond to any suspected or confirmed MERS-CoV cases.

Currently, the Da Nang International Airport serves a total of between 110 and 120 international flight arrivals each day.

It was recently reported that, upon their arrivals in the city from Bangkok, a group of air passengers were required to complete medical declarations, and have their body temperature measured by tele-thermometers installed at the airport.

A maximum of 6 passengers were on each turn, instead of the only one as previously.  

Norwegian passenger Jhon Mals Enonie showed his great support for the city’s strong measures to prevent the dangerous epidemic occurring in the city.

In particular, a group of doctors and nurses from the city’s Centre for International Health Quarantine work 3 shifts a day at the airport to detect any suspected epidemic cases

As listed in the top 10 best places of choice by South Korean families and couples this summer, Da Nang welcomes about 5,000 tourists from this East Asian nation. Therefore, preventive measures against MERS-CoV is being taken in a strict and meticulous manner.

MERS is a viral respiratory disease caused by the corona virus that was first identified in humans in Saudi Arabia in 2012. To date, the disease has spread to 25 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Republic of Korea, Tunisia, and the UK.

The disease can spread between people, and causes fever, breathing problems, pneumonia and kidney failure.

Approximately 36% of reported patients with MERS have died. There is currently no vaccine available to protect people from MERS.

The MERS outbreak hit the Republic of Korea in 2015, infecting 186 people, killing over 30 of them, and placing more than 170,000 others under quarantine. The RoK remains the country with the most MERS-infected cases outside the Middle East.

Anyone returning from the Middle East suffering from fever, a cough or breathing difficulties within 14 days of their return should consult a doctor for tests.