The clarification was made at a press conference held at Vachira Phuket Hospital yesterday (Jan 28), following viral online posts alleging the presence of Nipah virus patients in Phuket.
Dr Dusadee Kongtrakulsap, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO), said joint checks carried out by the PPHO and both public and private hospitals confirmed that no Nipah virus patients are being treated at any medical facility in Phuket.
“At present, there are no reports of Nipah virus infections in Phuket Province,” Dr Dusadee said. “All hospitals have strictly implemented screening, surveillance and infection prevention measures in accordance with Ministry of Public Health guidelines, with the highest priority placed on the safety of patients, their relatives and medical personnel.”
Also present at the briefing were Dr Lalita Kongsiha, Assistant to the Executive Committee of Group 6 of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), along with the directors of Bangkok Phuket Hospital and Dibuk Hospital.
Dr Lalita said the misleading information had already been reported to authorities and legal action was being pursued.
“We are aware of the dissemination of this false information and will proceed with filing a police report in accordance with legal procedures,” she said, adding that the Facebook page responsible had been contacted and asked to take responsibility. “The claim that patients were found is untrue.”
HEIGHTENED MEASURES
Despite confirming that no cases have been found, Phuket Province has stepped up preparedness and surveillance measures to ensure early detection and rapid response should a suspected case arise.
Dr Dusadee said these measures include enhanced screening of travellers at the international disease control checkpoint at Phuket International Airport, particularly passengers arriving from high-risk areas, as well as intensified monitoring of patients with recent travel history or potential exposure risks.
Hospitals across the province have been instructed to maintain readiness through the preparation of isolation rooms, adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies and a rapid laboratory testing system. Risk communication efforts are also being strengthened to provide accurate health advice to residents and tourists.
In line with the ’One Health’ approach, Phuket health authorities are working closely with livestock and animal health agencies to monitor animal diseases, conduct random checks and prepare response plans to allow swift containment if any suspected cases emerge.
Additional screening measures have been introduced at Phuket Airport in response to reports of a Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India.
Phuket Airport Acting Director Capt Pakpong Suwanmolli, together with airport executives, inspected prevention and monitoring operations at the international terminal.
Airport officials confirmed that 133 passengers arriving on IndiGo flight 6E1087 from Kolkata (CCU) were screened at boarding gate 15 upon arrival at Phuket Airport. The operation was carried out in cooperation with the international infectious disease control checkpoint and relevant agencies, following strict public health protocols.
Phuket Province has also coordinated with airport authorities to establish dedicated screening for passengers arriving from West Bengal, which currently has five direct flights per week operated by a single airline. Ongoing risk assessments are being conducted alongside enhanced hygiene measures, including increased cleaning frequency of airport buildings and facilities, said a statement issued by the Phuket branch of Airports of Thailand (AoT Phuket).
Airport officials said the aim is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, ensure public health safety and maintain confidence among travellers and airport users, the statement added.
Phuket health authorities urged the public to rely only on information from official government and medical channels, and to avoid sharing unverified claims on social media.
“The Provincial Public Health Office will continue to closely monitor the situation and implement appropriate measures as necessary,” Dr Dusadee said. “Our priority is to protect the health and safety of both residents and tourists, while ensuring accurate information is communicated clearly to the public.”
Officials reiterated that, currently, Phuket remains free of Nipah virus cases.