Thailand travel warning for Australians as Ebola outbreak triggers new quarantine and screening rules

Aussies heading to Thailand could face health checks and weeks in quarantine under tough new entry rules introduced in response to a growing Ebola outbreak.

The updated measures mean some travellers arriving in Thailand could face health screenings, mandatory quarantine requirements and restrictions on where they can enter the country.

According to Smartraveller, anyone who has recently stayed in or transited through Ebola-affected countries may be subject to additional checks upon arrival.

“If you’ve stayed in or transited through Ebola disease-affected countries, you’ll be subject to health screening and quarantine requirements on arrival,” the latest Smartraveller update states.

Ebola-affected countries currently include the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, where health authorities are battling a worsening outbreak that has already claimed dozens of lives.

Travellers arriving from those countries may be required to quarantine or self-isolate for at least 21 days.

Thailand tightens border controls

Thailand has also tightened its border controls, with authorities announcing that passengers arriving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda will only be permitted to enter through Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The restrictions come as governments around the world ramp up efforts to prevent the virus from spreading beyond Africa.

The United States has already imposed entry restrictions on non-citizens who have recently travelled through the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan.

Canada has introduced a 90-day ban on travellers from the same countries, while India has launched additional screening and surveillance measures at airports and border entry points.

Ebola outbreak sparks global concern

The outbreak has prompted growing concern among global health authorities after the World Health Organisation declared it a public health emergency of international concern.

The current outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola and has spread across eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since it was formally identified in May, authorities have recorded 344 cases and 60 deaths. Neighbouring Uganda has also reported confirmed infections.

World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said testing capacity had improved significantly in recent weeks, but warned the response was still playing catch-up.

“The outbreak had a big head start, and we’re still behind,” he said.

“But we are catching up.”

Health experts remain concerned that insecurity, population displacement and ongoing militant violence in affected regions are hampering efforts to track contacts and contain the disease.

While there have been some positive signs, including a small number of recoveries, medical experts caution that the true scale of the outbreak remains difficult to assess.

For Australians planning trips to Thailand, health authorities are advising travellers to stay up to date with the latest travel advice and entry requirements before departure.

- With Newswire