1 February

Due to the outbreak of 2019-nCoV infection in China and infection in some countries, Myanmar health authorities are beefing up surveillance at the international airports and waterway, and border gates in regions and states.

After being informed by the pilot of a flight of China Southern Airlines which runs between Yangon and Guangzhou that a passenger with flu-like symptoms was taking the plane which landed Yangon around 11 am, Myanmar health authorities checked the flight.

A 56-year old Chinese national with a fever was found on the plane. The man who came from Guangzhou said he didn’t travel around Wuhan where the outbreak of 2019-nCoV originated.

The Chinese visitor was taken to the Wabagi Infectious Disease Hospital in Yangon for further observation, and has been placed in an isolation room. Though he didn’t have the symptoms of the novel coronavirus announced by the World Health Organization, he is suffering from a fever and sore throat. Therefore, he has been put in quarantine for treatment at the hospital in order to prevent spreading the virus in Myanmar.

A total of 79 people – 78 foreign visitors, 7 crew and two Myanmar citizens – were on board. The two Myanmar nationals who have the symptoms with fever on board were also disembarked and isolated at the Wabagi Hospital.

The specimen from the Chinese national would be sent to a laboratory for coronavirus testing through the National Liborary (Yangon) in cooperation with WHO. Health authorities said the passengers and crews on the plane need to be quarantined for two weeks. However, they turned back to China of their own volition. — MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)