Thailand Adds Four Diseases to Surveillance List

Thailand's National Communicable Disease Committee approved the addition of four diseases to the surveillance list on September 18, 2025. Public Health Minister Padthana Prommaphan chaired the fifth committee meeting of the year, attended by Department of Disease Control Director Monthien Kanaswat and representatives from relevant agencies.

The meeting addressed two major items: a draft public health ministry notification on immunization promotion under a national immunization plan, which aims to integrate vaccine data from state hospitals, local government organizations, and private facilities, with emphasis on private sector reporting; and a draft notification defining names and symptoms of diseases requiring surveillance, adding four new conditions—Legionnella, severe thrombocytopenia fever syndrome (SFTS), respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV), and monkeypox.

Director Monthien reported on current disease trends both domestically and internationally, including respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and RSV in children aged 0-4 years, and influenza in children aged 5-9 years. The committee urged vigilance through health monitoring, hygiene practices, isolation if sick, mask-wearing, and prompt medical consultation. For polio, though no cases have occurred in Thailand, continued surveillance is maintained following recent August 2025 outbreaks in neighboring countries, with vaccination urged for infants under one year, particularly in border provinces.

Dengue fever has affected 25,948 people this year with 39 deaths; key risk factors include underlying health conditions and delayed hospital visits. Individuals with fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius lasting over two days, accompanied by headache, eye pain, facial flushing, thirst, or bleeding spots on the arms, legs, or torso should seek immediate hospital care. Monkeypox has recorded 338 cases and 2 deaths this year; prevention requires risk behavior reduction and self-monitoring for symptoms. The committee also noted that Uganda has been removed from the dangerous communicable disease zone following the World Health Organization's declaration of the country as Ebola-free on August 27, 2025, with no new cases reported in 42 days.