Ebola 'must be added' to danger list
Puangchompoo Prasert
The Nation

Medical experts aim to ensure quarantine

BANGKOK: -- A PANEL of experts has recommended that the deadly Ebola virus disease (EVD) be added to the list of dangerous communicable diseases in Thailand, which also includes cholera, plague, severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), smallpox and yellow fever.

So far, there has been no EVD case in Thailand.

Professor Dr Prasert Thong-charoen, who leads the panel on academic affairs and strategies for the national-level prevention of emerging infectious disease, said yesterday that EVD should be included in the list so officials can legally quarantine suspected patients. "If EVD is not included in the list, quarantining suspected patients against their will can be considered a violation of their rights," he explained.

He was speaking after his panel convened a meeting to discuss EVD.

"Quarantine is an effective measure to control the disease," he said.

According to the World Health Organisation, there were 163 new cases of EVD (laboratory-confirmed, probable and suspect cases) recorded on July 31 and August 1 alone, with 61 deaths reported from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Prasert said he did not believe there would be an EVD outbreak in Thailand, but added that the risk could not be completely ruled out given that international travel was part of daily life.

"EVD incubation takes two to 21 days, but carriers cannot spread the disease until they develop symptoms," which he said included fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea and bleeding.

Prasert said his panel would also recommend that relevant authorities monitor the health of passengers travelling from Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, and if they have fever upon arrival, they will be observed for 21 days.

"Relevant authorities must also get laboratories ready to conduct tests on both humans and animals," he said.

In a related development, the Foreign Ministry has instructed Thai embassies in Africa to monitor the situation closely and provide advice to Thais living in African countries.

Though there are no Thai expatriates in Guinea or Sierra Leone, there is one Thai citizen who works for a United Nations unit in Liberia, and there are three half-Thai children in that country too.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Ebola-must-be-added-to-danger-list-30240405.html

[thenation]2014-08-07[/thenation]

The doctor said he did not believe there would be an outbreak but that it could not be completely ruled out.

 

A nice and prudent step in the right direction from the ' never happen ' brigade.

I doubt what they claim is true so many Africans in Thailand seems Ebola could easily be transported here.

I doubt what they claim is true so many Africans in Thailand seems Ebola could easily be transported here.

I have just seen the Nigerian Minister of Health on television and she stated they now have 6 confirmed cases but all contained in Lagos ( they hope I'll bet ).

The latest case being a nurse who was treating a Libyan diplomat.

 

Lots of Nigerians find their way to LoS and I am not singling them out in any way but just how ready are the Thai authorities other than being ' on the lookout ' ?

Does anyone know what's in place at Swampy etc /

The doctor said he did not believe there would be an outbreak but that it could not be completely ruled out.

 

A nice and prudent step in the right direction from the ' never happen ' brigade.

 

Looks like the heads are slowly coming out of the sand compared to last week's statements.
 

BANGKOK: -- A PANEL of experts has recommended that the deadly Ebola virus disease (EVD) be added to the list of dangerous communicable diseases in Thailand, which also includes cholera, plague, severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), smallpox and yellow fever.

 

 

No , a government which cared and protects their people , should allready have closed down ALL trafic ( planes , boats/cargo, food,..) from Africa.

Mandatory screening of every-one that came from that region in the last month.

With all the reporting rules for foreigners , thai immigration would have no problem checking up on this.

 

 

 

And it wasn't on the danger list already ? Says a lot about Thailand's contingency plans if there was an outbreak !

A businessman recently returned from Sierra Leone has died in Saudi Arabia, and they are testing for Ebola. They really aren't very good at managing these things there, plus they wipe their arses with their hands.

Heaven knows what will happen if it's lurking around during the Hajj.

I can only imagine what will happen if someone wanders through Dubai airport with this and connects elsewhere... 

A PANEL of experts Thailand is fast out of the blocks this time. Ebola virus disease (EVD) to be added to the list of dangerous communicable diseases thank god for Panels of experts in Thailand and their razor sharp knowledge.

Says something that they have to go through the law to add it to a list to be able to quarantine someone.

 

Anyway, a far more logical and reasoned arguement:

 

 but added that the risk could not be completely ruled out given that international travel was part of daily life.

 

 

 

Edited August 7, 201411 yr by Thai at Heart

       

I was wondering what would be the next high season jinx...
I sure hope it's not this one.

Can they add corrption to one of the dangerous infections.

 

Quarantine everyone infected from it.  What a wonderful country it would become then.

Ebola does not pose a significant threat to Thailand, although due diligence with any disease with a mortality rate of 60% is warranted.    The incubation period for the disease is short and it is not particularly easy to catch, it does require direct contact with bodily fluids.    Unless Ebola mutated into an airborne virus, the risk here is small.   

 

While upgrading the list, they might want to reconsider having smallpox on it.