Thailand on guard for ebola as outbreak flares in Uganda

Thai disease control officials said today they have increased screening of travelers from Africa due to a resurgent ebola outbreak.

Security measures have been tightened at airports as infections in Uganda have spiked in recent days, according to prime minister spokesperson Traisuli Traisornkul. Everyone traveling from African nations must check in at Suvarnabhumi Airport’s communicable disease checkpoint before entering Thailand.

As of yesterday, there were 90 reported cases and 44 deaths, according to Uganda’s Health Ministry. Eleven public health workers have been infected, five of whom have died. No cases have been detected outside Uganda.

Although the numbers remain relatively low, ebola kills roughly half of those who contract it. It is classified as a dangerous contagious disease under the Communicable Diseases Act.

There is no cure for ebola. The WHO has not declared the current outbreak as a public health emergency.

The outbreak began in late September and is focused in west and central Uganda. The Ugandan government predicts the epidemic will end this year due to swift preventative measures.