Health Ministry Clarifies Liver Fluke Screening Results in Students
Screening of new university students in Maha Sarakham found high liver fluke infection rates, with health officials urging the public not to panic while emphasizing the need to reduce consumption of raw fish, a major transmission source.
On July 10, 2025, at the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI) under the Ministry of Public Health, a network of health agencies led by HSRI, the Disease Control Department, and Khon Kaen University held a press conference to clarify facts surrounding screening results of new students in the 2025 academic year in Maha Sarakham province. The screening revealed relatively high rates of liver fluke infection, with Maha Sarakham University finding over 4,200 infected students (33%) and Maha Sarakham Rajabhat University finding 380 cases (19%).
Dr. Suphakij Siriluck, director of HSRI, Dr. Yongjuea Lelsirithaweorn, director of the communicable disease division at the Disease Control Department, and other health officials addressed the situation, urging the public not to panic over media misinformation.
Dr. Suphakij noted that Thailand faces an ongoing crisis with liver fluke disease and bile duct cancer, which cause approximately 15,000-20,000 deaths annually. The Northeast region alone sees 6,500 deaths per year from liver and bile duct cancers, with treatment costs exceeding 13.5 billion baht yearly. Thailand currently has at least 6 million infected individuals who may develop bile duct cancer within 20-30 years.
A major concern raised was the persistence of raw food consumption, particularly raw fish, among younger generations, influenced by social media and public figures. Dr. Suphakij emphasized this is not a crisis but an opportunity to encourage behavioral change and public health awareness. He noted that while screening tools are more sensitive today than in the past, the 33% infection rate among university students aligns with previous regional surveys showing 36% infection rates in the Northeast, indicating the problem remains at elevated levels rather than representing a sudden spike.
