Authorities ramp up Ebola surveillance

Thailand is bolstering its defenses against the Ebola virus, with governors nationwide instructed to enhance surveillance and prevention protocols. This heightened alert follows reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) detailing outbreaks of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Governors nationwide have been instructed to strengthen Ebola surveillance and prevention measures following outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Ministry of Public Health has officially classified Uganda and DR Congo as dangerous communicable disease zones, a designation that took effect on May 21. This measure allows for more stringent monitoring of travelers arriving from or transiting through these affected regions.

Provincial communicable disease committees, chaired by governors, are tasked with intensifying screening, investigation, and control measures. This includes monitoring individuals considered at risk, with suspected cases potentially facing isolation or quarantine for at least 21 days. Coordination with international disease control checkpoints, immigration, airport authorities, and security agencies is crucial to this effort.

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The committees will monitor travellers arriving from or transiting through countries designated as dangerous communicable disease zones or those reporting outbreaks.

Health officials are urging the public to avoid non-essential travel to outbreak areas. Those returning from affected countries are advised to monitor their health closely. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding should seek immediate medical attention and report to disease control authorities.

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Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding should seek medical attention and notify disease control authorities immediately.