May 21, 2026 | 07:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that it is enhancing surveillance and prevention measures against Ebola virus disease within the country's civil aviation system.The move comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern due to the risk of cross-border transmission.Thailand's Ministry of Public Health on Wednesday designated the two African countries as dangerous communicable disease zones for the Ebola virus, prompting the implementation of coordinated screening and response measures within the civil aviation sector.In a statement, CAAT revealed that it has participated in planning sessions with the ministry's Division of International Communicable Disease Control and Quarantine, along with airlines and other stakeholders, to harmonize public health protocols across the sector.The Thai government urges the public to avoid non-essential travel to the DRC and Uganda and surrounding high-risk regions. Travelers must register through the Thai Health Pass system, while foreign nationals must accurately complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card to support contact tracing and disease monitoring.Airlines operating routes connecting affected regions have been instructed to inform passengers of public health requirements, conduct passenger screening at the point of departure, and share passenger seating and travel data with disease control officials to enable prompt follow-up.The quarantine division has also simulated response plans for suspected cases identified on board or after arrival in Thailand, establishing coordination procedures between airlines, airports, health authorities, and supporting agencies to ensure operational continuity and limit operational disruptions.Xinhua contributed to the writing of this article.Read: Congo Ebola Outbreak Kills 131, WHO Holds Emergency MeetingClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
