The National Communicable Disease Committee has intensified prevention measures against Ebola for travelers coming from DR Congo and Uganda who must quarantine at designated locations for at least 21 days even if asymptomatic.
On 26 May 2026, Dr. Somruk Jungsaman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, delegated by Mr. Patanaporn Phat, Minister of Public Health, chaired the 3rd meeting of the National Communicable Disease Committee for 2026. Dr. Somruk stated that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus infection a public health emergency of international concern.
Currently, the main outbreak is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with 867 suspected cases and 214 deaths (including 10 confirmed cases and 204 suspected cases who died). The virus has crossed borders into Uganda, where 5 confirmed cases and 1 death have been reported.
Although Thailand has not yet detected any Ebola cases domestically, there is a risk due to international travel and global population movement, especially from or through outbreak areas. Therefore, the Ministry of Public Health has designated the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as dangerous communicable disease zones to implement stricter and timely prevention and containment measures to prevent Ebola's entry into Thailand.
Dr. Somruk added that the committee approved legal measures to screen travelers from or passing through the two designated disease zones. Disease control officers will issue official orders to all such travelers: those without symptoms must be quarantined at designated locations for at least 21 days, while travelers showing symptoms consistent with Ebola infection will be isolated in specified state medical facilities for at least 21 days. Travelers will be allowed entry only through Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), where the Department of Disease Control has arranged quarantine facilities free of charge within the first 72 hours.
The Ministry of Public Health has requested cooperation from related agencies to monitor, prevent, and control the Ebola outbreak by screening and tracking travelers from or through the designated disease zones. International disease control checkpoints, local authorities such as immigration offices, airports, administrative officers, and security forces are tasked with verifying and monitoring travelers’ residences and movements.
They also support public communication and risk awareness campaigns to reach all citizens. The public is assured that Thailand is well-prepared to monitor, prevent, and screen for Ebola through personnel, medical supplies, laboratories, and disease control systems. Travelers are urged to provide truthful travel histories to help effectively prevent and control the disease.