Thailand Faces Surge in Influenza: 100,000 Cases, 9 Deaths

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of CDC, Unsplash

 

Thailand is grappling with a serious influenza outbreak, having witnessed nearly 100,000 infections alongside nine fatalities in just 15 days. The Ministry of Public Health has confirmed this alarming increase, underlining schools as significant hotspots. In response, the government is mobilising efforts, including the distribution of 4.5 million vaccine doses, to curb further spread.

 

Since the start of the year, the country has recorded 99,057 influenza cases, marking a sharp increase from late January's 7,819 cases — a jump of 91,238 in just over two weeks. This spike not only surpasses the five-year average but also eclipses last year's figures.

 

The outbreak clusters primarily emerge in educational settings. Health Zone 9, covering Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Buriram, and Chaiyaphum, reports the highest number of cases at 6,938 and accounts for three deaths. Children aged five to nine are particularly affected, followed by those younger than four and three.

 

High-risk groups, as identified by health officials, include individuals over 65, those with chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, pregnant women, and children under five. For these populations, vaccinations are strongly recommended to alleviate disease severity and reduce fatalities.

 

 

The Ministry emphasises adherence to preventive measures such as covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing, frequent hand washing, and avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated spaces. Those exhibiting flu-like symptoms are advised to isolate at home for three to seven days, wear masks when near others, and seek medical help if symptoms worsen.

 

The Ministry of Public Health is committed to bolstering its response to this influenza crisis with a robust vaccination campaign planned for May, aligning with the peak outbreak period. Additionally, the distribution plan for 4.5 million vaccine doses is set to cover eight key demographic groups, including young children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses.

 

The Department of Disease Control is backing these efforts, urging the public to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with health guidelines to mitigate the outbreak effectively, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-17

 

 

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

High-risk groups, as identified by health officials, include individuals over 65, those with chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, pregnant women, and children under five. For these populations, vaccinations are strongly recommended to alleviate disease severity and reduce fatalities.

Exacerbated by PM2.5 no doubt.

I wonder what the numbers are for people going into hospital with aggravated breathing issues?

[JimHuaHin]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Exacerbated by PM2.5 no doubt.

I wonder what the numbers are for people going into hospital with aggravated breathing issues?

At least one that I know of, myself.

[hotchilli]

56 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

At least one that I know of, myself.

It''s so bad around here at times, especially in the early morning that many locals are wearing masks again... and that takes some doing.

[StayinThailand2much]

Has been going around in China recently with all hospitals crowded. Well, all these quality tourists from up north had to bring something... 😆 

[WDSmart]

I think I came down with influenza last Tuesday while visiting a hospital for a checkup from a doctor. My symptoms started that night. It's now been a week since then, and I just starting to feel better the last couple of days. I tested myself for COVID-19, but that was negative. This just seems like the "flu" which was fairly common in the USA when I was growing up. I'm going to stay home and isolated until I'm sure all the symptoms have disappeared and for a few days after that. 

[petedk]

2 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

At least one that I know of, myself.

 

Add 3 more.

My wife and I both went to the hospital with coughing and breathing difficulties. The doctors blamed it on the pollution and the construction work, next door, with jackhammers pounding away at concrete all day didn't didn't help much either. Our neighbour on the other side was admitted for 2 days.

[Nick Carter icp]

There is no surge in flu in Thailand unless BM2 catches it .

Until be posts that he has got it, then there's nothing to be concerned about 

[JimHuaHin]

2 hours ago, petedk said:

 

Add 3 more.

My wife and I both went to the hospital with coughing and breathing difficulties. The doctors blamed it on the pollution and the construction work, next door, with jackhammers pounding away at concrete all day didn't didn't help much either. Our neighbour on the other side was admitted for 2 days.

I am in a similar situation - as I sit here typing this reply, looking out to the front of my small home - I have one construction site behind me (about 20 metres from where I am sitting - with noisy equipment (and often shouting workers) going from about 7 am until around 5-6 pm) and another construction site about 50 metres to my right.  All windows have to be closed most of the day, and one door slightly open, due to all the dust coming inside, from these sites.

[Watawattana]

Seems flu is worse this year than normal, but pollution is similar to normal?  Maybe more construction than normal though, post pandemic recovery. 

 

The high Thai flu rate is even being reported in Vietnam media!
 

https://baohaiduong.vn/en/so-ca-nhiem-cum-o-thai-lan-tang-hon-10-lan-trong-vong-2-tuan-qua-9-ca-tu-vong-405385.html

[Middle Aged Grouch]

Not surprising with all the chinese, korean and japanese tourists all over coughing and spitting for some. Wear a mask when moving around in public transport or in crowded areas. Other falangs can also be infected after all and for sure, getting to close to the bar girls/hookers is the best place to nest and spread viruses.

[Middle Aged Grouch]

3 hours ago, petedk said:

 

Add 3 more.

My wife and I both went to the hospital with coughing and breathing difficulties. The doctors blamed it on the pollution and the construction work, next door, with jackhammers pounding away at concrete all day didn't didn't help much either. Our neighbour on the other side was admitted for 2 days.

Depending where you are, there seems to be a new trend to hush away foreigners or even a thai lady with a falang husband. I saw the attitude in Hua HIn quite often happening to others. Maybe not in Bangkok or Pattaya ?

[Gecko]

4 hours ago, WDSmart said:

I think I came down with influenza last Tuesday while visiting a hospital for a checkup from a doctor. My symptoms started that night. It's now been a week since then, and I just starting to feel better the last couple of days. I tested myself for COVID-19, but that was negative. This just seems like the "flu" which was fairly common in the USA when I was growing up. I'm going to stay home and isolated until I'm sure all the symptoms have disappeared and for a few days after that. 

There's  a double test kit for I think 79 Baht, testing for Covid and Influenza.  I got the flu,too.

[WDSmart]

2 hours ago, Gecko said:

There's  a double test kit for I think 79 Baht, testing for Covid and Influenza.  I got the flu,too.

I hope you're better. I'm feeling much better today, about a week after I came down with the symptoms.

[black tabby12345]

9 deaths out of the 100,000 infected.

Such a big deal?

Road accidents kill  average 50 daily here though...

 

 

average road deaths in thailand a day - Google Search

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

The U.S. also is currently undergoing a serious wave of flu infections, hospitalizations and some deaths -- with current rates at the highest in years.

 

US flu reaches high severity status as deaths outpace COVID

February 15, 2025

 

With flu activity last week higher than or similar to the highest point of the season and hospitalizations and deaths on the rise, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today that it now classified the season as high severity for all age-groups for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

 

Over the past 2 weeks, flu deaths have outpaced fatalities from COVID and now make up 2.6% of all deaths for the most recent week, compared to 1.5% for COVID.

 

Outpatient visits for flulike illness have been above baseline for 11 weeks in a row, with very high or high activity reported in 46 states. Levels are highest in people ages 24 years old and younger. [emphasis added]

 

(more)

 

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/us-flu-reaches-high-severity-status-deaths-outpace-covid

 

[dinsdale]

On 2/18/2025 at 11:08 AM, WDSmart said:

I think I came down with influenza last Tuesday while visiting a hospital for a checkup from a doctor. My symptoms started that night. It's now been a week since then, and I just starting to feel better the last couple of days. I tested myself for COVID-19, but that was negative. This just seems like the "flu" which was fairly common in the USA when I was growing up. I'm going to stay home and isolated until I'm sure all the symptoms have disappeared and for a few days after that. 

Flu or maybe just a cold. The common cold can be pretty unpleasant. I've had the flu before. Long time ago but there wasn't any choice about staying home isolating. I could hardly get out of bed. Much worse than the couple (???) of times I've had covid. 

[lordgrinz]

Count me among the walking FLU zombies, almost done with it now.