Thailand Reports First Case of MERS

The deadly virus Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) spread to Thailand, where officials took nearly four days to confirm the first case, the health ministry said on Friday. Authorities did not release the name of a 75-year-old man from Oman who was being treated for a heart problem in Bangkok and is now in quarantine at an infectious diseases facility near the capital. Thai Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin told Reuters it took two lab tests to diagnose the new case. Rajata said officials have identified 59 people who have come in contact with the patient. South Korea confirmed the 24th death from MERS on Thursday, raising the number of cases to 166.