With the new cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the Republic of Korea (RoK) and China, Ho Chi Minh City is prepared to check passengers from these two countries before entering Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City’s International Medical Quarantine Center has printed health declarations for passengers arriving from the RoK. The center has also prepared thermal images and disinfectants and set up quick response teams.

Nguyen Huu Hanh, deputy director of HCM City’s International Medical Quarantine center said, "Tan Son Nhat International Airport has passenger boarding bridges for commercial flights to Ho Chi Minh City.  But in case of epidemics such as Ebola, separate bridges will be set up, especially for passengers from the RoK."

The Quang Ngai provincial health department asked the provincial health preventive center to be ready to cope with the possible spread of Mers through Dung Quat and Sa Ky sea ports. Quick response teams have been set up at four seaports of the Dung Quat economic zone and Sa Ky sea port.

Nguyen Van Hoang from the border medical quarantine department of the Quang Ngai provincial health preventive centre said, "Sailors from other countries, especially the RoK and China have been strictly quarantined. We will quickly isolate and test those showing MERS symptoms."

Lao Bao and La Hay international border gates see a large number of passengers, mostly Chinese and Korean everyday. Authorized agencies have tightened quarantine at these two border gates and prepared for isolating and receiving suspected cases. Colonel Tran Binh Quy, deputy head of the Lao Bao International border gate said, "Border security forces have closely worked with quarantine agencies to communicate on the high risk of the spread of MERS. We will immediately report any suspected MERS cases from the Middle East, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and China for testing and isolation if necessary."

Meanwhile , all hospitals nationwide need to set up a separate section giving medical services to suspected cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in order to prevent the spread of the virus inside the hospitals, said Luong Ngoc Khue, Head of the ministry’s Medical Examination and Treatment Management Department.

The section will stay open for those who enter Vietnam from Middle East countries and the RoK within 14 days, he added.