Health Agency Alerts Young Thais to Liver Fluke Infections
Thailand's health agency is warning young people about rising liver fluke infections linked to eating raw or undercooked freshwater fish, offering free screening kits through the Pao Tang app to those with gold card coverage. The "silent" i
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is warning young people about rising liver fluke infections and recommending that gold card holders take advantage of free screening kits through the Pao Tang app for early detection and treatment. Dr. Atthaporn Limpanisleuk, NHSO deputy secretary-general, reported on July 8 that health screenings of first-year university students in the Northeast found high rates of liver fluke infection, consistent with data from Khon Kaen University's cholangiocarcinoma research institute showing increased infection trends in Generation Z. The primary risk factor is consuming raw or undercooked freshwater fish dishes like pla tod, lab pla, pla som, and pla ra, as well as insufficiently heated foods.
Dr. Atthaporn emphasized that the disease poses a risk to all ages, not just older generations, particularly for those who regularly eat raw or undercooked fish. The concerning aspect is that liver flukes operate as a "silent threat" in early stages—many infected people show no symptoms and remain unaware of their infection. Without testing and treatment, or if raw fish consumption continues, the risk of chronic bile duct inflammation and long-term liver cancer increases significantly.
Feeling healthy and symptom-free does not guarantee safety from infection. Those with a history of eating raw freshwater fish, previous infections, or past deworming should be screened at least annually. Under the national health security system (gold card), the NHSO offers free rapid urine-based OV-RDT screening kits, developed by Khon Kaen University and recognized as a Thai innovation. Data through May 2569 showed 129,522 people used the service in fiscal year 2568, with 143,127 in the first eight months of 2569.
The service targets Thai citizens aged 15 and older with risk factors, including previous infections, past deworming, or raw fish consumption. Eligible individuals can access free screening at participating facilities like partner pharmacies, warm community nursing clinics, and medical technique clinics by using the Pao Tang app's "Health Wallet" menu or calling the NHSO hotline at 1330.
