BANGKOK, Thailand – The government has said it is closely monitoring the hantavirus situation following recent World Health Organization reports involving cases linked to a cruise ship in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswivattana said Thailand has not detected any outbreak of the disease and authorities currently assess the overall public risk as low. However, surveillance measures have been increased at international disease control checkpoints and through domestic monitoring systems nationwide.
Hantavirus is primarily carried by rodents such as field and house rats, and infections are commonly linked to inhalation of dust contaminated with rodent urine or feces. Person-to-person transmission remains extremely rare and has only been reported in certain virus strains. Symptoms can resemble those of influenza, and severe cases may involve respiratory complications.
The government has instructed the Department of Disease Control to increase monitoring of travelers arriving from risk areas and to expand screening of individuals with possible exposure to rodents. Officials are also studying whether hantavirus infection should be classified as a dangerous communicable disease under Thai law, while advising the public to avoid rodent-contaminated areas and maintain clean living environments to reduce health risks. (NNT)
