Suvarnabhumi Airport Core Capacity Development for Emergency Situation in Compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005) during 2008 – 2012

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the core capacity development process and the management of Suvarnabhumi (SVP) airport in response to public health emergencies of international concern. Study methodologies included the review and analysis of many related documents, core capacity surveys and analysis of a full-scale exercise. It was found that SVP had effective passenger’s screenings in the 2009 influenza outbreak, Japan’s Fukuchima nuclear power plant incident, and E.coli O104:H4 outbreak and contaminated waste management. Besides, E.coli O104:H4 outbreak table top exercise was performed in 2011. Moreover, a scenario of full–scale exercise of the Suvarnabhumi airport emergency plan involving a case of medical emergency infectious disease was conducted which was resulted in increasing the audience’s confidence of SVP from 40 to 90 percent. Designated isolated parking for public health measures complying with IHR is crucial in an emergency core capacities development.