Governors nationwide have been instructed to strengthen Ebola surveillance and prevention measures following outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the Interior Ministry.
Unsit Sampuntharat, permanent secretary for interior, said the directive followed reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) of Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks in the two African countries.
The disease, caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, is a severe haemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate. In response, the Ministry of Public Health has designated Uganda and DR Congo as dangerous communicable disease zones under a ministerial regulation that took effect on May 21.
Mr Unsit said governors in all 76 provinces, acting as chairmen of provincial communicable disease committees, have been instructed to intensify disease surveillance, screening, investigation and control measures.
The committees will monitor travellers arriving from or transiting through countries designated as dangerous communicable disease zones or those reporting outbreaks. Suspected cases may be isolated or quarantined for observation for at least 21 days.
Local authorities have also been told to coordinate with international disease control checkpoints, immigration officials, airport authorities and security agencies to monitor the movements of travellers considered at risk while they remain in Thailand.
The ministry urged people to avoid unnecessary travel to outbreak areas and advised those returning from affected countries to monitor their health closely.
Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding should seek medical attention and notify disease control authorities immediately, the ministry warned.
