Public health ministry urges vigilance amid rise in influenza cases
At the Ministry of Public Health yesterday, Dr Jurai Wongsawat and Dr Weerawat Manosutthi, a distinguished physician and government spokesperson, presented concerns over rising influenza cases this year and discussed the monitoring of hMPV and avian flu. They emphasised ways for families to maintain health and avoid illnesses.
Last year, several major diseases required continuous observation, including Covid-19, influenza, dengue fever, acute respiratory infections, vector-borne diseases, gastrointestinal infections, and foreign diseases.
Covid-19 saw 769,200 cases in 2024, with the highest incidence among individuals aged 60 and above, followed by those aged 30 to 39, and 20 to 29. There were 222 fatalities, predominantly among those over 60, with the JN.1 variant being the most common. This year, a decline is expected, with 3,493 cases and no deaths reported so far.
Influenza had 668,027 cases in 2024, a 1.39-fold increase from the previous year, primarily affecting young children and school-aged individuals. There were 51 deaths, mostly among those with chronic illnesses and seniors over 65.
The outbreaks were prominent in schools, prisons, temples, training centres, and military camps. In 2025, cases are expected to rise, with 14,537 cases and no fatalities.
Dengue fever cases decreased by 0.7-fold last year, with 105,250 cases and 114 deaths, mainly among school-aged children and working adults.
Mosquito habitats
In 2025, a further reduction to 76,000 to 77,000 cases and 70 to 80 deaths is predicted if mosquito breeding sites are controlled and the House Index is kept below 5%. The public is advised to eliminate mosquito habitats and avoid NSAID medication for suspected dengue cases.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections totalled 8,218 cases in 2024, mostly in children under two and increasingly in those over 65. Surveillance from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, showed RSV presence peaking between July and November, with RSV A in 2023 and RSV B in 2024.
Streptococcus suis infection, or red ear disease, saw an average of 461 cases and 22 deaths annually over the past five years.
In 2024, there were 956 cases and 59 deaths, with one death reported in Buriram this year. The deceased were mainly those over 65 with underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, with 40% having an alcohol abuse history.
Dr Jurai highlighted the need for vigilance regarding PM 2.5 dust particles this winter.
Between October 1, 2024, and January 8, 2025, PM 2.5 levels exceeded the red level, or 75 microgrammes per cubic metre, in Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Saraburi, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Phanom, Phitsanulok, Phetchaburi, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Nong Khai, Nakhon Pathom, and Pathum Thani.
Doctor Weerawat discussed the Department of Disease Control (DDC)’s monitoring of diseases like human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a long-standing respiratory virus not linked to Covid-19, which sees increased cases in the rainy and winter seasons.
Recent data from China indicates rising respiratory infections, particularly in northern provinces, with seasonal flu, rhinovirus, RSV, and hMPV detected.
In Thailand, between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, hMPV was found in 545 out of 15,299 samples, predominantly affecting children under five, those aged five to nine, and people over 60. Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine available, so prevention is advised.
Avian flu, particularly H5N1, remains a concern globally, affecting both humans and animals. No human-to-human transmission has been observed. From December 20, 2024, to January 2, 2025, 261 cases were reported, with no new cases of avian influenza A (H5N1).
The first death in 2025 was reported in Cambodia, where a 28 year old man from Kampong Cham died after handling and cooking sick chickens.
Dr Weerawat also mentioned neglected tropical diseases prevalent in tropical countries, often overlooked due to their presence in developing nations, reported KhaoSod.
In Thailand, these include dengue fever, malaria, elephantiasis, leprosy, tuberculosis, rabies, and various parasitic infections. To raise awareness and encourage collaboration, the World Health Assembly designated January 30 as World NTD Day.
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