Thailand steps up hantavirus border checks while officials say domestic risk is low
Bangkok Thailand’s health authorities have intensified surveillance for hantavirus at airports, seaports, and other international entry points, even as officials stress that the threat to the country remains minimal…
Thailand on May 10 intensified hantavirus screening at airports, seaports and other international entry points, with Phuket among the gateways covered by the tighter checks. Health authorities said the move focuses on incoming travelers from higher-risk areas, especially South America, while maintaining that no hantavirus infections have been detected in Thailand and the threat inside the country remains minimal.
The Department of Disease Control said the expanded measures are intended to keep that record intact. Officials also advised against panic, saying routine disease surveillance and emergency response systems are prepared.
Border screening targets travelers and international transport
DDC Director-General Dr. Montien Kanasawat said monitoring has been increased for arrivals from areas linked to the Andes strain cluster in South America.
Inspections have also been strengthened on cruise ships and other international transport. The measures include more thorough health screening for passengers and crew, close observation of any suspected cases on vessels, stricter sanitation and rodent-control work on ships, and readiness of personal protective equipment for frontline staff.
Top virologist explains Thailand strains and symptoms
Prof. Dr. Yong Poovorawan of Chulalongkorn University said the hantavirus strains found in Thailand differ from the Andes strain reported overseas.
He said the virus has been present in Thailand for more than four to five decades, but infections have remained extremely rare. The pathogen is mainly carried by rodents and spreads to people through contact with contaminated urine, droppings or saliva.
Common symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, headache, nausea and vomiting. Severe illness can lead to kidney failure or serious respiratory problems, while person-to-person transmission is uncommon and has been mainly tied to the Andes strain in South America.
Officials said travelers returning from places with known hantavirus activity who develop flu-like symptoms after possible rodent exposure should seek medical care promptly and tell doctors their travel history.
Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/05/10/thailand-ramps-up-hantavirus-monitoring-at-borders-amid-low-domestic-risk-top-doctor-explains-disease-variants/