Wuhan pneumonia: Thailand confirms first case of virus outside China
- Woman, 61, in hospital since last Wednesday and now recovering
- World Health Organisation says it is working with Chinese and Thai officials on case
Thai authorities on Monday confirmed the first case outside China of a patient infected with the new virus behind the Wuhan pneumonia outbreak.
The woman, 61, identified as a Chinese tourist from the city in central Hubei province, has been receiving treatment in a hospital in Nonthaburi near Bangkok since January 8, but is now recovering, according to Bloomberg and Thai media outlets.
An expert said if further investigation found she had not been to Huanan Seafood Market, associated with the outbreak in Wuhan, it would suggest that the virus had spread to other parts of the city.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health said in a press statement that the Chinese woman’s infection was confirmed on Sunday.
The woman now exhibited “no fever and is ready to return to her country”, the statement added.
Calling for calm, Thai public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul said: “We are confident we can control the situation.”
Sixteen other people seated near the woman on the same flight were examined and their results were negative.