Severe Pneumonia Death Case after Umrah Pilgrimage at Suvarnabhumi Airport, 2014

Abstract

This report aimed to address the importance of using epidemiological history without laboratory confirmation for an emerging disease’s diagnosis and management process to control communicable diseases at an airport. We report a 63- year-old Indonesian woman who has undertaken the Umrah at Mecca, Saudi Arabia 8 days before developing respiratory illness at Suvarnabhumi airport. She had dyspnea, tachycardia, conscious with agitation but no fever. Physical examination at the airport clinic revealed generalized wheezing both lungs but no pitting edema. Her chest X-ray suggested pneumonia. She was diagnosed as severe pneumonia and rule out MERS-CoV because of lower respiratory symptoms and epidemiological history of travelling to affected area (Saudi Arabia). She died 6 hours after treatment. Tracheal suction specimens found genetic material of rhinovirus and Haemophilus influenza bacteria. Surveillance and rapid response team had searched closed contacts, recommended for disinfection. Competent authority especially port health officers should prepare to counter unexpected events by developing core competencies as defined in International Health Regulations, 2005.