Thailand has moved to classify hantavirus as a dangerous communicable disease, despite the country having recorded no confirmed infections so far.
The decision, made under the Communicable Disease Act 2015, places hantavirus as the 14th disease on Thailand’s list of dangerous communicable infections.
Under the new measures, people considered high-risk contacts of confirmed patients will be required to quarantine for 42 days from their last exposure.
The move comes as several countries reassess their disease-control procedures following global attention on a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship travelling from Argentina.
Dr Somruek Chungsaman, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, said the classification is aimed at strengthening Thailand’s prevention and response systems. He made the remarks after chairing a meeting of the National Communicable Disease Committee.
Health experts warned that hantavirus can lead to serious illness, including respiratory and kidney-related syndromes.
Some forms of the virus may spread through airborne droplets, while certain strains are believed to carry a risk of human-to-human transmission.
Under the new classification, suspected infections must be reported within three hours, with investigations required to begin within 12 hours.
The designation also gives authorities the legal power to order isolation, quarantine and other urgent control measures.
According to the ministry, hantavirus symptoms include fever above 38C, chills, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
In severe cases, the disease can progress to respiratory failure, fluid in the lungs, shock, low blood pressure, kidney failure and death.
