Health Ministry Escalates Hantavirus Surveillance, Intensifies Screening of Flights from 13 South American Countries

The Health Ministry has escalated hantavirus monitoring and ordered strict enforcement at all 74 international disease control checkpoints, with special attention to screening flights from 13 South American countries. Dr. Monton Kanasuwan, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, inspected the international disease control checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport on May 11 to monitor preparedness for hantavirus screening measures targeting travelers from South America. Although Thailand has not yet reported any hantavirus cases, the ministry is implementing precautionary screening for travelers from 13 South American countries who have been there within the past six weeks to build public confidence and promote safe international tourism.

Travelers from high-risk countries must report their arrival and provide medical history on Form 8 at the international disease control checkpoint before immigration processing. Those showing symptoms consistent with hantavirus infection—such as fever above 38 degrees Celsius accompanied by headache, muscle pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath—will be sent to Bamrasnaradura Institute for diagnosis and placed under isolation or quarantine as appropriate.

Dr. Direk Khampaen, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, stated that the department has instructed checkpoint officials to conduct strict passenger screening, particularly those from high-risk areas, while ensuring proper patient referral systems, risk communication, and inter-agency coordination for effective disease surveillance, prevention, and control. The 74 international disease control checkpoints—comprising 17 at airports, 18 at seaports, and 39 at land borders—continue to maintain strict environmental sanitation and vector control measures on international vehicles such as cruise ships.

Since May 9, screening has identified 470 cumulative travelers from South America, averaging 157 daily, with no suspected cases detected. The five airports with the highest arrivals from South America are Suvarnabhumi (371 people), Chiang Mai (28), Don Mueang (27), Phuket (20), and Krabi (2). The Department of Disease Control urges the public returning from abroad who experience high fever, muscle aches, or unusual shortness of breath, especially after contact with rodents or travel from high-risk areas, to consult a doctor immediately and provide travel and animal contact history for rapid and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. For inquiries, contact the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.