Thailand's first MERS case declared free of deadly virus

The 75-year-old man, who had travelled to Bangkok for treatment for a heart condition and was then diagnosed with the virus, will remain in quarantine for the time being.

"In the last test results we did not find the MERS virus in the patient," Surachet Satitramai, acting permanent secretary at the Public Health Ministry, told Reuters.

"His condition is much better but we still need to see if his other health conditions, including his heart condition, will have any effect on his recovery."

He said three of the man's relatives who travelled with him to Thailand were also free of the virus. Thailand's health ministry is still monitoring 36 people who were exposed to its single patient.

Thailand confirmed its first case of MERS earlier this month, becoming the fourth Asian country to register the virus this year.


(Medical personnel wear masks to prevent contracting Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) as they work at a screening point at a private hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.)