As of Monday this week (August 18) 2,473 cases of Ebola had been reported in those four countries with 1,350 deaths – more than half of those who contracted the disease.
“We have been told to boost surveillance of all tourists arriving in Phuket who may be carrying the virus, especially those arriving from the four countries,” Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) Chief Dr Kajohnsak Kaewjarus told the Phuket News this afternoon.
“A special lane has been set up for citizens of those four countries, with signs asking them to identify themselves to us before they go to immigration,” he added.
“Airports of Thailand (AoT), Immigration, airlines and PPHO officers are coordinating to get the names of passengers from those four countries entering Thailand at PIA or connecting to other flights,” Dr Kajohnsak noted.
“After they come through the special lane, a medical team from Department of Disease Control, backed by police, will check their medical condition and record their name and address in Thailand, in order to send it to hospitals near where they are staying,” he explained.
“The hospitals or a special team will keep an eye on them – but not intruding or making them feel that they are being controlled – until they go on to their next destination,” he added.
To prevent Ebola coming into Phuket, officials are also coordinating with other airports in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia that have connecting flights to Phuket.
So far, Phuket has had two tourists arriving from the four countries on the list. One was Nigerian and the other Filipino. “Both of them have finish their trips to Phuket and have returned to their countries,” he said.
“People should not worry about an outbreak of Ebola in Phuket at this stage – it is our job to prevent that,” said Dr Kajohnsak. “Enjoy your holiday in Phuket. Leave us to worry about Ebola prevention,” he concluded.
The World Health Organisation describes Ebola as “a severe, often fatal illness … one of the world’s most virulent diseases. The infection is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals or people. Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care.
“Ebola outbreaks can devastate families and communities, but the infection can be controlled through the use of recommended protective measures in clinics and hospitals, at community gatherings, or at home.”