Department of Disease Control

  • Thailand NewsDDC issues raw pork warning as infection cases surge

    DDC issues raw pork warning as infection cases surge

    People are strongly urged to avoid consuming raw or undercooked pork to safeguard against infection from streptococcus suis, also known as hearing loss fever, which can be life-threatening. This advisory comes in response to reports of a rise in cases during the recent extended holiday period in certain provinces. Doctor Taweechai Visanuyothin, Department of Disease Control (DDC) director of Regional…

  • Thailand NewsThailand takes measures to curb bird flu amid regional outbreaks

    Thailand takes measures to curb bird flu amid regional outbreaks

    Public health officials in Thailand are ramping up measures to prevent the spread of bird flu within the country amid increasing cases in neighbouring regions and a recent outbreak in the US. The Department of Disease Control (DDC), along with the Livestock Department and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP), is actively preparing for any potential…

  • Thailand NewsThailand steps up screening for mystery disease from Afghanistan

    Thailand steps up screening for mystery disease from Afghanistan

    Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health intensified its monitoring of travellers arriving from Afghanistan, aiming to curb the potential spread of a mysterious infectious disease. Local officials in Afghanistan reported at least 500 cases of the unidentified illness in the Kafshan Valley, Shinwari district of Parwan province, approximately 80 kilometres north of Kabul. The disease’s rapid transmission has resulted in critically…

  • Bangkok NewsThailand recovers first mpox clade Ib patient, no further cases

    Thailand recovers first mpox clade Ib patient, no further cases

    Thailand has successfully managed its first confirmed case of the mpox (formerly monkeypox) clade Ib variant, with the patient fully recovered, public health officials announced yesterday. The 66 year old European male arrived in Bangkok on August 14 after travelling from Africa. The following day, he was admitted to a hospital, where laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the clade…

  • Thailand NewsSyphilis cases triple among Thai teens, fivefold increase in pregnant women

    Syphilis cases triple among Thai teens, fivefold increase in pregnant women

    The Department of Disease Control (DDC) reported a significant increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among Thai people, particularly syphilis. Cases of syphilis among teenagers have tripled compared to previous years and the number of pregnant women with syphilis has increased fivefold. DDC spokesperson Weerawat Manosutthi reported today, July 23, that the situation regarding STDs in Thailand worsened in the…

  • Thailand NewsThailand free of human bird flu cases since 2006

    Thailand free of human bird flu cases since 2006

    Thailand remains free of human bird flu cases, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC). Authorities urge travellers from H5N2 outbreak areas to self-monitor for respiratory symptoms within 14 days of arrival and seek medical attention if symptoms arise. Travellers entering the country have been advised to remain vigilant for irregular respiratory symptoms. Immediate medical consultation is recommended if…

  • Thailand NewsDisease Control warns of mpox surge after Songkran festival

    Disease Control warns of mpox surge after Songkran festival

    Thailand’s Department of Disease Control issued a warning about a significant rise in mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, cases following the Songkran festival, with the majority of cases reported in Bangkok. The Thai authorities are urging vigilance and advising the public to monitor for symptoms. Since the first detection in July 2022, Thailand has recorded a total of 787 mpox…

  • Thailand NewsMalaria on rise in Thailand: Tak province tackles ticklish trouble

    Malaria on rise in Thailand: Tak province tackles ticklish trouble

    Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) reports a surge in malaria cases, notably in the Tak province, where the majority of the 2,913 infections have been identified since January. Other areas affected include Mae Hong Son, Kanchana Buri, Ranong, and Prachuap Khiri Khan, with 60% of the patients being foreigners, as per the department’s data. The DDC Chief, Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn,…

  • Thailand NewsHalf of new HIV infections in Thailand among 15-24 year olds

    Half of new HIV infections in Thailand among 15-24 year olds

    The Department of Disease Control (DDC) in Thailand has revealed that nearly half of the annual 9,000-plus new HIV infections are individuals aged between 15 and 24 years old. This trend has persisted for several years, according to Dr Suchada Jiamsiri, the head of the Division of Aids and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) at the Ministry of Public Health’s DDC.…

  • Thailand NewsMonkeypox morphs: Thailand reports 535 ‘mpox’ cases in a year

    Monkeypox morphs: Thailand reports 535 ‘mpox’ cases in a year

    A whopping 535 mpox cases (formerly monkeypox) have been reported across Thailand between May last year and October this year, according to the figures released by the Department of Disease Control (DDC). Dr Taweechai Wisanuyothin, the director of the Nakhon Ratchasima-based Region 9 Disease Control Office, disclosed the above data. A total of 481 reported cases were Thai citizens, 50…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s first Monkeypox-related death highlights rising infectious disease threat

    Thailand’s first Monkeypox-related death highlights rising infectious disease threat

    A severe case of Monkeypox in Thailand, infecting a 34 year old man with HIV and syphilis, culminated in the country’s first fatal mishap related to this viral scourge. The unfortunate news dropped yesterday, courtesy of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC). Explicating the unfolding of events, the DDC’s Director-General Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong took note of the initial discomforts plaguing…

  • Pattaya NewsDengue fever cases surge across 18 provinces in Thailand

    Dengue fever cases surge across 18 provinces in Thailand

    Dengue fever cases are on the rise in Thailand, with the Department of Disease Control reporting an increase in 18 provinces including Chon Buri, Phuket, and Bangkok. A high-level digital meeting was conducted yesterday, overseen by Taret Krassanairawiwong, the Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. In this, they discussed the rising tide of dengue cases…

  • Thailand NewsCovid-19 cases surge 39% in a week, public urged to take precautions

    Covid-19 cases surge 39% in a week, public urged to take precautions

    The Department of Disease Control issued a public warning yesterday, alerting citizens to the resurgence of Covid-19 and urging them to take necessary precautions to protect themselves. The director-general, Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, revealed that there were 2,356 Covid inpatients last week, marking a 39% increase from the previous week. Additionally, the number of patients suffering from lung inflammation and requiring…

  • HealthThree mpox cases found in Thailand

    Three mpox cases found in Thailand

    Three new cases of mpox have been identified in Thailand, bringing the total number of infections to 18 since the virus was declared to be an infectious disease requiring special surveillance in May of last year. “Mpox” has replaced the word “monkeypox” as the World Health Organisation advised changing to quell a rise in related racist and stigmatising language associated…

  • Covid-19 NewsChinese tourists won’t trigger increase in Covid-19 cases

    Chinese tourists won’t trigger increase in Covid-19 cases

    The Department of Disease Control (DDC) reckons the influx of Chinese tourists will not trigger an increase in Covid-19 cases in Thailand but added the department will evaluate the status of coronavirus infections in two weeks’ time. DDC Director-General Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong revealed yesterday that the average daily number of cases is 900, and the number of Covid patients in…

  • Tourism NewsCovid-19 screening not necessary for China arrivals

    Covid-19 screening not necessary for China arrivals

    The Department of Disease Control (DDC) met on Saturday to assess the Covid-19 situation in China and the border reopening on January 8. Covid-19 screening tests for arrivals from China might not be necessary for the time being although vaccination documents will be checked Tares Krassanairawiwong, DDC director-general, said nearly five million visitors from China are expected this year while…

  • Northern Thailand NewsResurgence of AIDS in Thailand overshadows UNAIDS summit

    Resurgence of AIDS in Thailand overshadows UNAIDS summit

    News of the resurgence of AIDS in Thailand, blamed on the proliferation of dating apps, has dismayed many. Historically, Thailand has one of the best records of all countries in the region in caring for people living with AIDS. The government is now setting out to eradicate AIDS in Thailand by 2030, according to deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul on…

  • Thailand NewsCabinet seems to have ignored 4am nightlife proposal

    Cabinet seems to have ignored 4am nightlife proposal

    It seems that the push for 4am closing times for nightlife venues is meeting stiff opposition. But entertainment venues aren’t giving up, offering new arguments and proposing plans to solve the points of contention. Meanwhile, the briefing released after a Cabinet meeting yesterday that was expected to discuss the curfew extension did not make any mention of the 4am proposal.…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 infections up 12.8% last week

    Covid-19 infections up 12.8% last week

    Despite everyone in Thailand – and the rest of the world – being bored of it, Covid-19 is still here. Last week, new Covid infections in Thailand rose 12.8%. The greatest leaps were seen in tourist areas and Bangkok. In the last week, an average of six people per day died of the coronavirus, while 3,166 people were admitted to…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 vaccines for 18 million vulnerable people

    Covid-19 vaccines for 18 million vulnerable people

    The National Vaccine Committee is to provide Covid-19 vaccines to 18 million vulnerable people next year, including medical staff and health volunteers. The government has provided 143 million vaccine shots in the past two years, saving an estimated 500,000 lives. COVID-19 infections appear to be on the rise again, especially among those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, while…

  • Phuket News9th and 10th monkeypox infections found in Phuket

    9th and 10th monkeypox infections found in Phuket

    A German man and a Thai woman have become the 9th and 10th confirmed cases of monkeypox in Thailand. The two were identified this week in Phuket and are now receiving treatment at a public hospital there. The Department of Disease Control has released details about the two new infections. Public health officials are already investigating and have traced a…

  • Thailand NewsNew study shows smallpox vaccine ineffective against monkeypox

    New study shows smallpox vaccine ineffective against monkeypox

    Despite previous hopes, the Department of Medical Sciences warned that most adults and seniors who have been previously vaccinated against smallpox are not protected from monkeypox, unfortunately. The news comes after testing in labs of people who received the smallpox vaccine when they were younger and are now over 40 showed no correlation between the inoculation and any immunity from…

  • Thailand NewsDDC declares no tomato flu outbreak in Thailand

    DDC declares no tomato flu outbreak in Thailand

    Director-General of the Department of Disease Control (DDC) yesterday announced it is closely watching the ‘tomato flu’ situation after reports were made that about 100 cases have emerged in India. Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the DDC, declared no cases have been reported in Thailand as yet after an outbreak emerged in the Kollam district of Kerala on May 6,…

  • Thailand NewsThailand records its seventh monkeypox case

    Thailand records its seventh monkeypox case

    Thailand’s Department of Disease Control announced yesterday the nation has its seventh monkeypox victim. A 37 year old Thai woman in Bangkok became the kingdom’s latest victim hot on the heels of the country’s sixth case last week. DDC Director General Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute reported on Saturday that a woman had tested positive for…

  • Covid-19 NewsAuthorities warn: Don’t self-prescribe Covid drugs like Molnupiravir

    Authorities warn: Don’t self-prescribe Covid drugs like Molnupiravir

    New warnings are being issued about self-medicating or misusing Covid-19 drugs like Molnupiravir and the negative effects that could result from it. Department of Disease Control Director-General Dr Opas Karnkawinpong is warning that people who do not need treatment taking antiviral drugs may create drug resistance in their body, making it ineffective against future infections. Meanwhile, director of King Chulalongkorn…

  • Thailand NewsForeign arrival screening increased to prevent monkeypox spread

    Foreign arrival screening increased to prevent monkeypox spread

    The Thai government is taking precautions to screen incoming travellers from countries with monkeypox outbreaks in hopes of preventing its spread in the kingdom. Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul reported that his ministry is coordinating airport screening and focusing on people travelling from countries that are struggling with a monkeypox outbreak. The deputy director-general of the Department of Disease…

  • Phuket NewsUPDATE: Health officials test 19 for monkeypox after contact with fugitive

    UPDATE: Health officials test 19 for monkeypox after contact with fugitive

    UPDATE: All 19 people who had close contact with Thailand’s first ever recorded monkeypox case have all tested negative for the monkeypox virus. All 19 people will isolate for a total of 21 days and will then be tested again to confirm they have not contracted the virus. The 27 year old Nigerian national travelled to Thailand eight months ago…

  • Phuket NewsHealth officials test 19 for monkeypox after contact with fugitive

    Health officials test 19 for monkeypox after contact with fugitive

    After a Nigerian man fled Thailand upon being diagnosed with monkeypox and was subsequently captured in Cambodia, authorities have been tracking down anyone in contact with him to test them for the disease. Health officials have identified 19 high-risk people who came in close contact with the man and have now tested all of them for monkeypox. Results are still…

  • Covid-19 NewsStudy: vaccines prevented nearly half a million deaths in Thailand

    Study: vaccines prevented nearly half a million deaths in Thailand

    Since the start of the Covid-19 epidemic, 31,031 people have died in Thailand from the virus, but a research team suggest that it could have been much worse without vaccines. The team from Mahidol University suggested that, without a vaccination programme in place, Thailand would likely have seen another 490,000 deaths. The MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis compile…

  • Covid-19 News5-day holiday weekend brings predictable surge in Covid-19 infections

    5-day holiday weekend brings predictable surge in Covid-19 infections

    While it was entirely predictable, Thailand rejoiced at the chance to get away for a five-day weekend, ignoring warnings from medical professionals, and now the country is seeing a spike in new and serious Covid-19 infections. The Department of Disease Control released figures showing that the number of people infected with severe Covid cases that require ventilators is rising again.…