An investigation of a Covid-19 infected Egyptian soldier traveling to Thailand, Rayong Province, July 2020

Abstract

On 12 July 2020, the Office of Disease Prevention and Control, Region 6 Chonburi was notified by the Disease Control Checkpoint of the U-Tapao International Airport that SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected in one Egyptian soldier. The Investigation Team from the Office of Disease Prevention and Control, Region 6 Chonburi, the Division of Epidemiology of Department of Disease Control (DDC) and the Rayong Provincial Health Office jointly conducted an investigation during 13-15 July 2020 to confirm the diagnosis, describe characteristics of the case, identify sources of infection and risk factors, as well as control and prevent the spread of the disease. We reviewed the situation of the disease, interviewed and collected respiratory specimens from all travelers and sent for SARS-CoV-2 detection using real time reverse transcription polymerase chain technique, performed active case finding, and conducted an environmental study. The results showed that there was an infected case of COVID-19. He was a 43-year-old, male, Egyptian soldier. He departed from Pakistan and arrived Thailand on 8 July 2020 by a military flight with a total of 31 captain and crew members. They stayed at a hotel in Rayong Province (Non-alternative state quarantine) during 8-11 July 2020. They also went to a shopping center in Rayong Province for shopping. All of them left Thailand on 11 July 2020. From the active case finding including 7,040 people in Rayong province, we found no more infected person. The infected Egyptian soldier should be getting infected before arriving in Thailand without any symptoms. Therefore, there is low chances of disease spreading. However, self-protection measures must be maintained by wearing mask in public places, practicing social distancing, washing hands, and check in and check out with application “Thai Chana” for preventing next outbreak.