Thailand imposes 21-day Ebola quarantine on travellers from Uganda, DRC
Thailand has announced mandatory 21-day quarantine measures for travellers arriving from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over fears of further spread of Ebola Virus Disease.
The new restrictions, which took effect from 6:00 pm on May 27, 2026, were approved by Thailand’s National Communicable Disease Committee as part of heightened efforts to prevent the importation of the virus into the Southeast Asian nation.
The move follows growing international concern over the latest Ebola outbreak in DRC. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the highest level of global health alert.
WHO data indicates that the Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded 867 suspected Ebola cases and 214 deaths linked to the outbreak, while Uganda has so far confirmed five cases and one death. Since then, the ministry of Health has intensified surveillance, contact tracing, public awareness campaigns and screening at border points and airports in a bid to contain further spread.
Dr Montien Kanasawadse, director-general of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, said, in a statement, that the country was tightening surveillance and border control measures in response to the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola currently affecting parts of Africa.
Thailand’s Public Health inistry has now classified Uganda and the DRC as dangerous communicable disease zones under its Communicable Diseases Act, enabling authorities to impose strict containment measures on incoming travellers.
All travellers arriving from or transiting through Uganda and the DRC will now be subjected to mandatory quarantine or isolation for at least 21 days, which corresponds with the maximum incubation period of the Ebola virus.
Travellers without symptoms will be quarantined at designated facilities identified by communicable disease control officers, while those showing symptoms will immediately be isolated and transferred to state-designated medical facilities for further examination and treatment.
Thailand is a popular destination for Ugandan businesspeople, traders and tourists, particularly those involved in the importation of electronics, textiles, machinery, cosmetics and household goods from Bangkok and other commercial centres.
The country also attracts Ugandans seeking medical treatment, education and tourism opportunities, making the new Ebola-related restrictions likely to affect travel plans and business operations for many Ugandans with regular links to Thailand.
Although no Ebola case has been reported in Thailand, authorities there say the severity of the disease and the increasing movement of travellers between Africa and Asia necessitated tougher preventive measures.
Thai officials warned that travellers who fail to comply with quarantine or isolation directives will face penalties under the country’s Communicable Diseases Act of 2015. Individuals who refuse quarantine orders could face fines of up to 20,000 baht, while those who escape or leave quarantine facilities without authorisation risk imprisonment of up to one year, fines of up to 100,000 baht (about $300) or both.
The latest restrictions add to growing international travel precautions targeting countries affected by Ebola outbreaks, with several nations increasing screening and surveillance measures for passengers arriving from East and Central Africa.
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المصدر: The Observer (Uganda)