Thailand has stepped up health screening and laboratory preparedness after designating the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as Ebola virus disease risk zones.
The move follows the World Health Organization’s declaration of the outbreak as a “public health emergency of international concern”, citing rising infections and deaths, as well as the risk of international spread.
A Ministry of Public Health announcement published in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday classifies the two African nations as dangerous communicable disease zones for Ebola, deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Pherdwiwatthana said on Friday.
The current Ebola outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved vaccine or treatment. More than 670 suspected cases and around 160 related deaths have been reported as of May 21. Under the tightened measures, all travellers arriving from Congo and Uganda must undergo health screening and submit declarations before entering Thailand.
Health authorities are currently monitoring 126 travellers who have arrived from the two countries over the past 21 days. Five travellers from DR Congo and Uganda entered Thailand on May 21, while arrivals from the two countries averaged six to seven people per day over the past three weeks, they said.
Under measures led by the Department of Disease Control, travellers from outbreak areas must pre-register through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card system for foreign nationals or the Thai Health Pass platform for Thai citizens. Screening includes temperature checks, symptom assessments, travel history reviews and 21-day monitoring.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has coordinated with airlines and health agencies to promote timely pre-travel public health communication, screen passengers from the point of departure and support officers at checkpoints.
Emergency drills will be staged to test the response to suspected infections during flights or after arrival.
