Suvarnabhumi Airport tightens checks amid Congo fever outbreak
Heightened disease control measures have been implemented at Suvarnabhumi Airport to screen travellers arriving from high-risk countries after reports of a mysterious fever outbreak in Congo.
Doctor Panumas Yanwetsakul, Director General of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), addressed reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding an outbreak of an unknown illness in Congo.
As of February 19, the WHO data indicated that the outbreak in the Boloko and Bomate villages in Equateur had resulted in 955 cases and 60 fatalities, reflecting a 6.3% fatality rate. Laboratory tests confirmed that the illness was not caused by the Ebola or Marburg viruses.
Currently, no suspected cases of this disease have been identified in Thailand. Nevertheless, the DDC has enhanced surveillance, prevention, and control measures, including stricter screening protocols at Suvarnabhumi Airport, according to Dr Panumas.
Travellers arriving from Congo are required to undergo temperature checks and provide their address and contact number in Thailand, along with details of their departure from Congo.
Additionally, those who have travelled from Congo within the last 21 days must complete a health reporting form and adhere to the guidelines on the Health Beware Card issued by health officials.
People who have been in Congo within the past 21 days should monitor for initial symptoms such as fever exceeding 38°C, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, fatigue, or exhaustion, reported Bangkok Post.
“If these symptoms worsen, they must seek medical attention immediately and inform doctors of their travel history for diagnosis and treatment to prevent disease transmission,” Dr. Panumas advised.
In similar news, a recent cholera outbreak in Thailand has been effectively managed, with a minimal number of patients from both Myanmar and Thailand diagnosed and subsequently cured.
Public health and security officials confirmed this progress on January 1. In Myanmar’s town of Shwe Kokko, the number of cholera patients is also on the decline.
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