Thailand has recorded 21,620 dengue infections and 31 deaths so far this year, as the seasonal outbreak continues to gather pace, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said on August 26.

The figures cover January 1 to August 19. While infections remain below both last year's level and the 2026 forecast, the upward trend is continuing during dengue season, according to Dr Anek Mungaomklang, the DDC's deputy director-general at the Ministry of Public Health.

For foreigners living in Thailand or visiting during the wetter months, the advice is practical: reduce exposure to mosquitoes, remove standing water around homes or accommodation, and do not delay medical care if dengue symptoms appear. Dengue is spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which are also linked to chikungunya and Zika virus infections.

Bangkok has recorded four deaths

Bangkok has logged 1,785 dengue cases and four deaths, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Health Department.

Anek said areas reporting multiple cases need continued surveillance and disease-control action. This includes following up patients, investigating infections, finding further cases, and tackling both mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes.

He urged residents to help remove places where Aedes mosquitoes can breed.

Bang Kapi targeted in control work

Dr Pongtorn Chartpituck, director of the Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention under the DDC, said officials recently conducted disease investigation and control work with Bangkok health agencies in Bang Kapi district.

Teams found accumulated rubbish and stagnant water were significant environmental risks, providing mosquitoes with places to breed and rest. Officials and local residents have since removed rubbish and standing water beneath homes, while improving surrounding areas to cut potential mosquito habitats.

The response has also included active screening points and symptom checks for schoolchildren. Community meetings have been held to raise awareness and encourage local participation in prevention work.

The DDC has supplied mosquito repellent, fogging chemicals and mosquito coils to support local control efforts.

Watch for persistent fever

Pongtorn said Aedes mosquitoes often lay eggs in stagnant water held in household containers, discarded items, jar lids, plant-pot saucers, ant traps, table-leg containers and rubbish.

The DDC's three-step approach calls on people to clear rubbish and containers that can collect water, keep homes clean to reduce mosquito resting places, and properly cover drinking and household water containers.

People should also use repellent and sleep under mosquito nets to avoid bites. Those with a fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius lasting more than two days, especially alongside headache, pain behind the eyes, facial redness, thirst or small bleeding spots on the arms, legs or torso, should seek hospital treatment promptly rather than self-medicating, Pongtorn said.

Picture courtesy of DDC

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27 August 2026

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I had it 3 years ago. The fever itself wasn’t too bad, but I’ve been plagued with bad health ever since. The virus has similar properties to Covid and can cause long-term problems.

I've had it too.

Cover up when outdoors during the day - try to avoid shorts and T-shirts. Daytime is when this type of mosquito bites - and they can be inside your home too. Spray exposed areas of skin with OTC mosquito repellant (all 7/11 have small bottles that contain some DEET). Spray on your hand then wipe your face avoiding your eyes of course. Your neck too. Some research says they approach from behind, so you often don't see them except after they bite and are flying away from you with a full gut load of your blood. Apparently they like O Blood type the best and can somehow sense that. You really don't want to get dengue - believe me. It's not called Breakbone Fever for nothing.

When I first came to Thailand (Koh Samui) over 20 years ago, I contracted dengue fever. It was horrible! I was in bed for a week and received shots from a hospital there. Now, I'm supposedly immune to a repeat of dengue fever, but only for that particular strain, and there are four or five different strains.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The DDC's three-step approach calls on people to clear rubbish and containers that can collect water, keep homes clean to reduce mosquito resting places, and properly cover drinking and household water containers.

Every year it's the same advice and every year there's news about dengue fever deaths. Nothing will change simply because of attitude.

1 hour ago, PaDavid said:

I had it 3 years ago. The fever itself wasn’t too bad, but I’ve been plagued with bad health ever since. The virus has similar properties to Covid and can cause long-term problems.

Sorry to hear about your predicament. Thanks for the reminder that dengue fee may long lasting events. Always concerned when I see stagnant water in a tropical environment.

So shall we conclude that Ban Kapi is the home of Dengue and now that it is 'cleaned up' the rest of BKK is safe?

I was told, and others point out that the mossie that gives you the fever is a daytime sort... so the suggestion for nets is for those who take daytime naps?

Had dengue twice, you can clearly see it can lead to long term cognition issues

5 hours ago, PaDavid said:

I had it 3 years ago. The fever itself wasn’t too bad, but I’ve been plagued with bad health ever since. The virus has similar properties to Covid and can cause long-term problems.

Sorry to hear you got this ... I had dengue in Southern India in 1979 ... you know ... before pocket phones and internet. I literally was close to death. What a brutal disease. Hope you recover fully soon!

Edited August 27Aug 27 by JustinTyme
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10 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Every year it's the same advice and every year there's news about dengue fever deaths. Nothing will change simply because of attitude.

Yes. It is like the road toll. Nobody cares. Even on a government level they do nothing about either.