Thailand has introduced stringent Ebola screening measures for travellers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, enforcing a mandatory 21-day quarantine even for individuals showing no symptoms. The move follows the World Health Organization's declaration on 17 May that the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists, constitutes a public health emergency of global concern.
New Quarantine Protocols
Thailand has classified Congo and Uganda as Ebola-affected zones. A technical committee advising the Department of Disease Control has recommended quarantine measures for asymptomatic individuals arriving from these two African nations. Dr Montein Kanasawadse, the department's director, stated that the outbreak in Congo is worsening, prompting several countries to enhance surveillance, particularly for travellers from high-risk areas, as reported by The Nation.
WHO Emergency Declaration
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported earlier that over 900 suspected Ebola cases have been identified in Congo, with 101 confirmed. As of 22 May, Thailand recorded eight arrivals from Uganda and two from Congo. All travellers were asymptomatic but placed under 21-day quarantine as a preventive measure.
Red Cross Volunteers Die from Ebola
In Congo, three Red Cross volunteers have died after contracting Ebola, likely from handling infected bodies. They are among the first known victims of the outbreak in the country. The volunteers—Ajiko Chandiru Viviane, Sezabo Katanabo, and Alikana Udumusi Augustin—likely contracted the virus during dead body management activities in March, part of a humanitarian mission unrelated to Ebola, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said. At that time, the latest outbreak had not yet been identified.
The volunteers served in Ituri province in northeastern Congo and died on 5, 15, and 16 May, respectively. The federation stated, "These volunteers lost their lives while serving their communities with courage and humanity."
Transmission Risks and Response
Bodies of Ebola victims are highly infectious, and unsafe burials—where family members handle the body without proper protective equipment—are a leading driver of transmission. The Red Cross is working to prevent such practices and is conducting door-to-door campaigns to combat misinformation about Ebola in the outbreak's epicentre in Congo.
