The National Communicable Disease Committee elevates strict control over “Ebola,” approving quarantine guidelines for travelers from “DR Congo - Uganda” for at least 21 days. The Department of Disease Control warns that violators face both imprisonment and fines. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) revealed the resolution of the National Communicable Disease Committee, which approved the elevation of legal measures. This establishes guidelines for the isolation and quarantine of travelers arriving from designated infected areas of dangerous communicable diseases, specifically in the case of Ebola virus disease involving 2 countries (DR Congo – Uganda) for at least 21 days since departure from affected countries. It also emphasizes the penalties for those who violate or fail to comply with the orders of the communicable disease control officers, which include both imprisonment and fines. Today (May 27, 2026), Dr. Montien Kanasawat, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, disclosed after the National Communicable Disease Committee Meeting No. 3/2569 that due to the outbreak situation of the Ebola virus disease, Bundibugyo strain, in the African continent—which the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)—outbreaks are currently primarily found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (with 867 suspected cases and 214 deaths) and the Republic of Uganda (with 5 confirmed cases and 1 death). Although no infected cases have been found in Thailand yet, because this disease is highly severe and has a long incubation period of up to 21 days, the Ministry of Public Health has therefore declared both countries as infected areas of dangerous communicable diseases in order to implement strict disease containment measures. Dr. Montien continued that the meeting passed a resolution approving the elevation of measures for individuals who have a history of traveling from or through the countries designated as infected areas of dangerous communicable diseases in the case of the Ebola virus disease for both countries. The guidelines have been adjusted for communicable disease control officers to execute, changing from "surveillance" to isolation or quarantine of travelers for a period of at least 21 days as follows: 1. In case of no symptoms, they shall be "quarantined" (Quarantine) at a venue designated by the communicable disease control officer. 2. In case of having symptoms, they shall be "isolated" (Isolation) at a state medical facility designated by the communicable disease control officer. Additionally, approval was granted to propose to relevant agencies to mandate that travelers coming from or through the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Uganda enter Thailand through Suvarnabhumi Airport only. DDC has been tasked with preparing quarantine facilities for travelers entering Thailand from May 27, 2026, at 18:00 onwards. DDC will closely monitor the situation to evaluate appropriate measures periodically. For travelers who violate or fail to comply with the orders of the communicable disease control officers under the Communicable Diseases Act, B.E. 2558 (2015), the key penalties are as follows: In case of violating or failing to comply with the order of the communicable disease control officer who orders isolation or quarantine under Section 34 (1), there is a fine not exceeding 20,000 Baht (under Section 51). In case of violating the order of the communicable disease control officer who prohibits leaving the isolation or quarantine facility under Section 34 (7), there is a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or a fine not exceeding 100,000 Baht, or both (under Section 52). “We request the cooperation of all travelers to provide their truthful travel history in order to prevent and control the disease effectively. Furthermore, we would like to assure the public of Thailand's surveillance system, which is fully prepared in terms of personnel, medical supplies, and advanced laboratories,” Dr. Montien stated at the end. For further inquiries, please contact the Department of Disease Control Hotline by calling 1422. Information from: Emergency Operations Center, Department of Disease Control Date: May 27, 2026
