Health 29 May 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Thailand mandates 21-day quarantine for travelers from Uganda, DRC due to Ebola fears
Thailand has implemented a mandatory 21-day quarantine for all individuals arriving from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid growing international concerns over the Ebola virus outbreak. These measures aim to prevent the importation of the virus into the Southeast Asian nation. Source: https://observer.ug/news/thailand-imposes-21-day-ebola-quarantine-on-travellers-from-uganda-drc
Thailand is enhancing its border security by imposing a stringent 21-day quarantine on all travelers coming from or transiting through Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This decision, effective May 27, 2026, stems from heightened global alarm over the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
The nation’s National Communicable Disease Committee approved the measures as a proactive step to safeguard public health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), its highest alert level.
Official figures indicate a significant number of suspected cases and fatalities in the DRC, while Uganda has also reported confirmed cases and a death. In response, Uganda’s Ministry of Health has intensified its own surveillance and containment efforts.
Dr. Montien Kanasawadse, Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, stated that the country is specifically addressing the Bundibugyo strain affecting parts of Africa. Both Uganda and the DRC have been classified as high-risk zones under Thailand’s Communicable Diseases Act, empowering authorities to enforce strict entry protocols.
Travelers arriving from these countries will undergo a mandatory quarantine period mirroring the virus’s maximum incubation period. Those without symptoms will be placed in designated state quarantine facilities, while individuals exhibiting symptoms will be immediately isolated and moved to medical centers for assessment and care.
This development is expected to impact numerous Ugandans involved in trade, tourism, education, and medical tourism with Thailand. While no Ebola cases have been recorded in Thailand, officials emphasize the need for robust preventive measures due to the disease’s severity and international travel patterns.
Non-compliance with the quarantine directives carries severe penalties under Thailand’s Communicable Diseases Act, including substantial fines and potential imprisonment. This move aligns with a broader international trend of increased screening and surveillance for travelers from affected African regions.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)