Control of Fever with Rash Case at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Abstract

International Health Regulations, 2005 (IHR 2005) has required member states to strength core capacities for detecting event which serious public health impact and/ or unusual or unexpected nature with high potential for spread at point of entry. A 60- year-old Malaysian woman with fever, rash and appearing obviously unwell was reported at Suvarnabhumi airport’s clinic with the aim to address the management process of symptomatic, exposed travelers, crews and ground staff of airline to control communicable diseases at airport. The case has undertaken the Umrah at Mecca, Saudi Arabia and got sick 1 day before coming back to Malaysia. She has been diagnosed as fever with rash and route out meningococcemia. Physical examination revealed remarkably high fever (39oC), exhausted dehydration and generalized erythematous at body, face, and arm with multiple pustules at neck and body. Her white blood cell count suggested acute bacterial infection even if hemoculture and papule smear for gram’s stain were negative. Doctor from Bamrasnaradura infectious disease institute, Department of Disease Control initial diagnosed as suspected Staphylococcal septicemia.