Thailand has stepped up its disease prevention efforts at Suvarnabhumi Airport to screen passengers arriving from countries deemed high-risk following the emergence of a mysterious fever in Congo.
Dr. Panumas Yanwetsakul, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), addressed the situation on Saturday after a report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) about an unidentified sickness outbreak in Congo.
According to WHO data dated February 19, the outbreak in the villages of Boloko and Bomate in Equateur has resulted in 955 infections and 60 fatalities, indicating a fatality rate of 6.3%. Tests have confirmed that neither the Ebola nor Marburg viruses are responsible for the illness.
To date, Thailand has not identified any suspected cases of the illness. Nonetheless, the DDC has escalated its monitoring, prevention, and control efforts, which include enhanced screening processes at Suvarnabhumi Airport, explained Dr. Panumas.
All individuals arriving from Congo are required to undergo temperature screenings and must provide their local address and contact details in Thailand, along with information about their departure from Congo.
Additionally, travelers from Congo who have been in the country within the last 21 days are required to complete a health reporting form and adhere to the guidelines on the Health Beware Card issued by the health authorities.
Anyone who has traveled from Congo in the last 21 days is advised to be vigilant for early signs of illness, such as a fever higher than 38°C, headaches, sore throat, muscle aches, and symptoms of fatigue or exhaustion.
Dr. Panumas emphasized, “Should these symptoms worsen, they must seek medical attention immediately, inform doctors of their travel history for diagnosis and treatment, and to prevent disease transmission.”
