Influenza cases soar in Thailand, nearly 100,000 infected
Influenza cases in Thailand have surged, with nearly 100,000 infections and three deaths reported over the past 15 days. The Ministry of Public Health announced a significant rise in cases, particularly in schools, and is deploying 4.5 million doses of vaccines to combat the outbreak.
Since January 1, there have been 99,057 confirmed influenza cases, with nine fatalities. This is a sharp increase from January 25, when only 7,819 cases were reported, indicating a rise of 91,238 cases in just over two weeks.
The infection rate is considerably higher than the previous five-year average and surpasses figures from the previous year.
The outbreak occurred in clusters, with 15 incidents mostly in schools. The most affected area is Health Zone 9, covering Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Buriram, and Chaiyaphum, where 6,938 cases and three deaths have been recorded. The highest infection rates are among children aged five to nine, followed by those aged four and three.
The health minister highlighted that high-risk groups include those over 65, people with chronic illnesses like asthma, heart disease, diabetes, pregnant women, and children under five, who should receive the influenza vaccine to mitigate the disease’s severity and reduce mortality.
For the general public, preventive measures against respiratory infections are advised, including covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, frequent hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based gel, avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated areas, and staying home for three to seven days if flu-like symptoms appear.
Patients, even those with mild symptoms, are urged to rest at home for three to seven days or until fully recovered, wear masks when near others, and consistently wash hands. If symptoms worsen, such as experiencing difficulty breathing, lethargy, or a decrease in appetite, medical attention should be sought promptly.
Influenza cases
The Ministry of Public Health’s prevention strategy includes promoting influenza vaccination, with a campaign starting in May to align with the country’s major outbreak season.
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is planning the distribution of 4.5 million vaccine doses to healthcare facilities, targeting eight main groups under NHSO benefits: children aged six months to two years, people over 65, those with disabilities who cannot care for themselves, people with chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and diabetes, those with thalassemia or compromised immunity, obese people weighing over 100 kilogrammes or with a body mass index over 35 kilogrammes per square metre, pregnant women four months into pregnancy and beyond, and medical and public health personnel.
The Department of Disease Control supports this initiative, affirming its commitment to fully protect against influenza while urging public cooperation in self-protection.
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