title: Lack of transmission among healthcare workers in contact with a case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in Thailand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A hospital-associated outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was reported. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of infection control measures among healthcare workers (HCWs) who were exposed to a MERS patient and/or his body fluids in our institute.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study was conducted among HCWs who worked with a MERS patient in Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Thailand, between 18 June and 3 July 2015. Contacts were defined as HCWs who worked in the patient's room or with the patient's body fluids. Serum samples from all contacts were collected within 14 days of last contact and one month later. Paired sera were tested for detection of MERS-CoV antibodies by using an indirect ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-eight (88.4 %) of 43 identified contacts consented to enroll. The mean (SD) age was 38.1 (11.1) years, and 79 % were females. The median (IQR) cumulative duration of work of HCWs in the patient's room was 35 (20-165) minutes. The median (IQR) cumulative duration of work of HCWs with the patient's blood or body fluids in laboratory was 67.5 (43.7-117.5) minutes. All contacts reported 100 % compliance with hand hygiene, using N95 respirator, performing respirator fit test, wearing gown, gloves, eye protection, and cap during their entire working period. All serum specimens of contacts tested for MERS-CoV antibodies were negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We provide evidence of effective infection control practices against MERS-CoV transmission in a healthcare facility. Strict infection control precautions can protect HCWs. The optimal infection control measures for MERS-CoV should be further evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000 Thailand.
authors.forename: Surasak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiboonchutikul
authors.affiliation: Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000 Thailand.
authors.forename: Weerawat
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Manosuthi
authors.affiliation: Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000 Thailand.
authors.forename: Sirirat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Likanonsakul
authors.affiliation: Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000 Thailand.
authors.forename: Chariya
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sangsajja
authors.affiliation: Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000 Thailand.
authors.forename: Paweena
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kongsanan
authors.affiliation: Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000 Thailand.
authors.forename: Ravee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nitiyanontakij
authors.affiliation: Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000 Thailand.
authors.forename: Varaporn
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thientong
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Hatairat
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lerdsamran
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ; Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pilaipan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puthavathana
keywords: Healthcare facilities; Healthcare workers; MERS-CoV; Middle East respiratory syndrome; Transmission