Airport Preparedness Checks for Screening Nipah Virus to Handle Travelers from Risk Areas

The Department of Disease Control inspects screening readiness for "Nipah Virus Infection" to manage travelers from risk areas at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which has set a three-phase protocol for airlines operating flights from outbreak zones.

On 27 Jan 2016, it was reported that Dr. Montien Kanasawat, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, visited the international disease control checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 26 Jan 2016 to monitor preparedness in implementing screening and prevention measures for Nipah virus infection among travelers arriving from West Bengal, India, an area with reported outbreaks. This aims to prevent the virus's entry into Thailand and assure public health safety.

The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said the department prioritizes surveillance of communicable diseases from abroad, especially the dangerous Nipah virus. Strict control measures have been established covering before, during, and after travel to Thailand to ensure practical implementation at every step. He emphasized the department will closely monitor the Nipah virus outbreak situation and adjust measures accordingly. Airlines, airports, and travelers from risk areas are urged to follow officials' guidance and continuously monitor their health to help prevent disease spread within Thailand.

Dr. Rom Buathong, Director of the International Disease Control and Quarantine Division, revealed that the Department of Disease Control has set measures for airlines and airports serving flights from outbreak areas in three phases:

Measures before and during travel

• Crew and staff working in Nipah virus outbreak areas must wear protective equipment
  as recommended by the Department of Disease Control.
• If a passenger from a risk area shows high fever or respiratory symptoms during check-in or boarding, they must present a fit-to-fly medical certificate.
• During the flight, if a passenger becomes ill, they must remain in their seat without moving and inform the flight crew immediately to coordinate with the destination international disease control checkpoint.
  Airlines must distribute form T.8 (Health Declaration) to all passengers from outbreak areas and have them complete it before the plane lands in Thailand.
• Measures upon arrival in Thailand
  Passengers must submit the completed form T.8 (Health Declaration) to disease control officers at the international disease control checkpoint before immigration clearance.

All aircraft arriving from Nipah virus outbreak areas must undergo sanitation, and if suspected patients are found, the aircraft must be disinfected before further flights.

• Designated parking stands are assigned for planes arriving from Nipah virus outbreak zones, with screening areas, isolation rooms, patient transfer routes, and baggage handling organized accordingly.
• Airlines must provide Passenger Manifests and General Declaration Forms to the international disease control checkpoint.
• Measures for cross-border patient transfers
• Patients transferred from India and Bangladesh—countries with reported Nipah virus cases—seeking treatment in Thailand must undergo PCR testing for Nipah virus genetic material at the originating hospital before entry. Receiving hospitals must coordinate closely with the international disease control checkpoint.

These measures have been enforced since 26 January 2016 at 00:01 under the Communicable Disease Act of 2015. Violators who disobey disease control officials may face fines up to 20,000 baht. For further information, contact the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.