The British man who died in Phuket after arriving from Nigeria has tested negative for Ebola, but authorities will put 25 health staff and other individuals who came into contact with the body under quarantine for monitoring until Nov 14.
Kachornsak Chaengcharas, chief of Phuket provincial health authorities, said even though the test results on the dead man proved negative for the deadly virus, authorities were not taking any chances.
The blood tests were conducted at the Department of Medical Sciences and the Chulalongkorn Hospital laboratories.
He said the hospital staff members to be quarantined for 21 days include nurses, pharmacists and staff on duty who came into contact with the deceased.
The man's body will not be released to police for investigation until Nov 14. According to health authorities, Ebola's incubation period is two to 21 days, which means people who have not contracted the disease 21 days after last exposure should be in the clear.
Dr Kachornsak said the man was found dead on Oct 23, but given the condition of the body, he might have died three to five days
earlier.
In addition, the blood collection for the test was made on Oct 25. Extra precautions are being taken to cover this period.
The man, aged 68, was found dead at a condominium in tambon Patong, Kathu district. He arrived in Phuket from Lagos, Nigeria, on Oct 7.
Public health permanent secretary Narong Sahamethapat said yesterday health authorities are also monitoring the health of a 47-year-old Australian man who arrived in Trat province on Oct 17 from Congo where Ebola is a risk.