No Deaths From Liver Fluke, Officials Say
Health officials report no deaths from liver fluke disease in Thailand as of July 2024, though 2,656 confirmed cases were recorded; authorities urge people to avoid consuming raw or undercooked freshwater fish to prevent infection.
On July 8, 2024, Dr. Montheian Kunasawat, director of the Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health, stated that the international standard method for diagnosing liver fluke disease is stool examination under a microscope to confirm the presence of adult parasites in the bile ducts. The positive cases detected at Mahasarakham University were identified through preliminary screening using OV-ATK rapid tests during student activities, with no symptomatic students found so far. However, confirmatory testing using standard methods is needed to verify the diagnosis.
Dr. Montheian reported that from January 1 to July 7, 2024, the digital disease surveillance system recorded 2,656 confirmed cases, with the highest infection rates among those aged 50-59, 60 and above, and 15-19 years old. No deaths have been reported.
"This incident serves as another reminder for people to be aware of liver fluke disease, which spreads through consuming raw or undercooked freshwater fish," Dr. Montheian said. "If left untreated for 10-20 years, chronic infection can lead to bile duct cancer."
Dr. Direk Khampaen, deputy director of the Department of Disease Control, explained that liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini) is a flatworm transmitted by eating uncooked freshwater fish such as raw fish cakes, raw fish salads, raw fermented fish, or raw fish sauce. Once in the body, the parasite can survive in the bile ducts for 20-30 years, causing chronic inflammation and increasing cancer risk.
"Myths that squeezing lime juice, fermentation, or drinking alcohol can kill the parasite are false," Dr. Direk said. "The disease does not spread person-to-person. The only effective prevention is eating fully cooked food and thoroughly cooked fermented fish, avoiding raw or undercooked freshwater fish dishes."
The Department of Disease Control will implement phase 2 of its liver fluke elimination and bile duct cancer prevention plan (2024-2030) using a One-Health approach, coordinating with relevant agencies on food safety, sanitation, and health literacy, while conducting field investigations, screening, treatment, and monitoring according to standards. For more information, call the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.
