Thailand has imposed a mandatory 21-day quarantine for all travelers arriving from or transiting through the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda, as a deadly Ebola outbreak continues to surge in the region.
The eastern DRC remains the epicenter of the outbreak, which has already claimed 204 lives and produced 867 suspected cases since mid-May. Across the border in Uganda, one person has died and six others are confirmed infected.
The World Health Organization has declared the situation an international health alert, warning the true spread of the virus may be far greater than reported. Health officials suspect the virus was circulating undetected for some time.
Thailand's public health ministry stated that travelers showing symptoms must be quarantined in a state hospital, while asymptomatic individuals will be held at designated quarantine sites.
Though Thailand has not reported any Ebola-positive travelers, officials acknowledged the risk from global population movement remains significant.