The Ministry of Public Health is preparing to tighten Ebola surveillance measures after 10 travellers from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo entered Thailand and were placed under monitoring.
Health authorities are set to discuss further controls with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The Department of Disease Control (DDC) plans to hold talks with the MFA to strengthen measures against Ebola, amid growing concern over an outbreak in Central Africa.
DDC director-general Montien Kanasawat said on Sunday the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BVD) in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17.
He said the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had worsened, prompting many countries to increase surveillance of travellers arriving from affected areas. At present, there is no officially approved vaccine or treatment for the virus.
According to the latest data as of May 22, Thailand had received 10 travellers from the two countries -- eight from Uganda and two from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. All underwent health screening upon arrival and showed no symptoms.
However, authorities have ordered them to remain under observation and report their health status for 21 days, in line with Ebola monitoring protocols.
Dr Montien said the DDC had submitted proposed guidelines on isolation, quarantine and traveller monitoring to the academic committee under the Communicable Disease Act on May 22.
The committee approved four key measures. Asymptomatic travellers arriving from or transiting through Uganda will be placed under close observation and required to report to disease control officers for at least 21 days.
Those arriving from or transiting through the Democratic Republic of the Congo, even without symptoms, must undergo quarantine at designated facilities for at least 21 days due to the severity of the outbreak there. Travellers from either country who meet the Ebola case definition will be isolated at designated healthcare facilities.
The DDC said it would assess the outbreak and adjust measures as needed. It also urged Thai nationals to avoid non-essential travel to affected countries and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop after returning home.
