Thailand Tightens Ebola Controls as Phuket Monitors Travellers from High-Risk Countries

Thailand has stepped up precautionary measures against Ebola, with authorities in Phuket placing 11 international travellers under a 21-day health monitoring program after their arrival from countries considered high risk.

Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthavorn announced the measures during a meeting with provincial health officials, emphasizing that Phuket’s role as a major international aviation hub requires strict monitoring of potential infectious disease threats.

According to provincial authorities, the travellers arrived at Phuket International Airport from countries including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, both currently categorized as Ebola risk zones.

Officials confirmed that none of the monitored individuals showed symptoms of the disease while staying in Thailand. The travellers are expected to gradually depart the country between May 28 and May 31.

Thailand has now become the first country to introduce mandatory quarantine measures for arrivals from the two affected nations. The new rules came into effect at 6pm on May 27. Under the updated policy, all incoming passengers from these high-risk areas must enter Thailand through Suvarnabhumi Airport, where centralized quarantine and screening procedures are being carried out.

Authorities acknowledged that the stricter regulations may reduce passenger traffic from affected regions, as additional health checks and travel requirements are now in place.

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has also expanded screening operations at Suvarnabhumi International Airport by establishing a dedicated checkpoint for passengers arriving from risk countries before they proceed to immigration control.

DDC spokesperson Jurai Wongsawat told Thai PBS that any passenger displaying possible symptoms will be transferred to Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute for examination and treatment. Travellers without symptoms will remain under close medical observation for 21 days.

Health officials stressed that Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids rather than through airborne transmission like Covid-19 or measles. Most infections are linked to close contact with patients, relatives, or healthcare workers.

Early symptoms of Ebola may include fever, weakness, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. In severe cases, patients can also suffer internal or external bleeding.

Authorities warned that Ebola remains a highly dangerous disease with a significant mortality rate if not treated promptly.