Bangkok: The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is reinforcing its screening procedures for flights originating from regions at risk of the Nipah virus, specifically focusing on building trust and confidence among travelers.
According to Thai News Agency, CAAT is actively monitoring the Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India, and is working closely with the Department of Disease Control to ensure that all operations adhere to public health standards. A recent meeting was convened to inform airlines, airports, and related operators about the stringent measures that need to be implemented.
These measures are exclusively applicable to flights and passengers from high-risk areas. Airlines are tasked with conducting initial screenings at the point of origin, focusing on identifying symptoms associated with the virus. Passengers exhibiting symptoms that necessitate testing must have the appropriate documentation before departure and adhere to public health guidelines during the flight.
Upon arrival in Thailand, passengers are required to undergo temperature checks and complete Form T.8 (Health Declaration) as part of data collection mandated by law for effective surveillance and monitoring. Screening points have been established at airport boarding bridges, and the Ministry of Public Health is prepared to manage potential cases.
The drill included airlines operating routes from West Bengal, airports, and related entities. Disease control checkpoints commenced screening activities on January 25th and are set to operate fully from midnight on January 26th. These checkpoints will continuously monitor and evaluate the situation to modify measures as needed.