Disease Control Warns Travelers from 13 Countries to Watch for Avian Flu; Updates 8 Deadliest Diseases in September

On September 10, 2025, officials from the Department of Disease Control held a press conference titled “September Awareness: Staying Safe from Diseases and Health Threats,” presenting the ten most commonly reported communicable diseases in the past month:

- Diarrhea

- Influenza

- Pneumonia

- Hand, foot, and mouth disease

- Food poisoning

- COVID-19

- Dengue fever

- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection

- Chickenpox

- Syphilis

 

Eight diseases with the highest fatality counts over the same period were:

- Melioidosis, case fatality rate 4.56%

- Streptococcus suis infection (“pig-related meningitis”), case fatality rate 1.41%

- Leptospirosis, case fatality rate 0.69%

- Pneumonia, case fatality rate 0.12%

- COVID-19, case fatality rate 0.07%

- Dengue fever, case fatality rate 0.04%

- Diarrhea: 3 deaths

- Influenza: 1 death

 

Diseases to watch in September 2025

Influenza:
From January 1 to September 4, 2025, there were 486,562 cases and 57 deaths. Thirty-six of those who died had underlying illnesses such as kidney disease, heart disease, hypertension, pulmonary tuberculosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The highest morbidity rate was among children aged 5–9 years. Between August and September, the most detected strain was A/H3N2.

Pneumonia:
From January 1 to September 4, 2025, 298,223 cases and 504 deaths were reported. The highest morbidity was among children aged 0–4 years, while most deaths occurred in people aged 60 and older.

RSV infection:
In 2025, there were 8,473 cases and 1 death, with the highest rate in children aged 0–4 years. The number of cases remains higher than in 2024. RSV spreads through inhalation of droplets from an infected person’s respiratory secretions or contact with contaminated objects such as tables, chairs, door handles, or toys. The virus can survive in the environment for hours, with an incubation period of 2–8 days. Treatment focuses on symptom relief, as no specific antiviral medication exists. Vaccines are available for older adults and pregnant women, while monoclonal antibodies are recommended for infants and high-risk groups.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease:
From January 1 to September 9, 2025, there were 73,517 cases, with no deaths reported. The highest number of patients were aged 0–4 years. This illness is commonly caused by enteroviruses and spreads via direct contact with nasal or oral secretions, saliva, feces, or indirectly through toys and shared surfaces such as water taps or stair rails.

Dengue fever:
In 2025, 42,187 cases and 44 deaths were reported. Risk factors for fatalities include underlying disease, use of NSAIDs, delayed hospital visits, alcohol use, and being overweight. Most patients were school-aged, but the death rate was highest among people aged 45 and above.

Chikungunya (mosquito-borne joint pain fever):
In 2025, 1,064 cases were found, with no deaths. The highest morbidity was in those aged 35–44. Incidence was 2.4 times higher than in 2024, with clusters in Chiang Mai, Bueng Kan, Lamphun, and Udon Thani.

Zika virus infection:
There were 175 cases in 2025, mainly among those aged 25–34, with an increase in infections among pregnant women. Zika is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and causes low-grade fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes, and fatigue.

Leptospirosis:
From January 1 to September 4, 2025, there were 2,631 cases and 32 deaths, mostly among people aged 60 or older. Anyone with high fever, headache, chills, or muscle aches after wading through water or mud should seek medical attention and inform doctors about exposure history.

Melioidosis (“soil fever”):
From January 1 to August 29, 2025, there were 2,782 cases and 130 deaths, mainly among those aged 60 or older. Recommendations include avoiding direct contact with soil or water; if unavoidable, wear boots, gloves, and protective clothing. Wash thoroughly after exposure, eat well-cooked food, drink clean or boiled water, avoid inhaling dust or staying in heavy rain, and see a doctor promptly if high fever lasts two days and there is exposure history.

 

Avian influenza alert for travelers from 13 countries

Globally in 2025, there have been 27 confirmed avian influenza cases and 9 deaths. Risk in Thailand remains low but requires continued surveillance. People are advised to eat thoroughly cooked food, avoid contact with sick or dead poultry, pigs, or dairy cattle, wear masks and gloves, and wash hands after handling animals. Large numbers of dead birds should be reported to livestock officials. Anyone with flu-like symptoms—fever, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, or conjunctivitis—should seek medical care. Travelers heading to outbreak areas should monitor updates and obtain travel health insurance.

Those returning from countries with avian influenza activity (as of August 2025)—Cambodia, the United States, Mexico, India, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Brazil—should self-monitor. If flu-like symptoms develop within two weeks, they should see a doctor and report their travel history.

 

Polio

In August 2025, a case of cVDPV1 poliovirus was reported in Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR. Parents should ensure children receive the full polio vaccination schedule. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children should complete their doses at the nearest public health facility. Travelers to polio-affected countries who are not fully vaccinated should receive a booster dose at least four weeks before departure.

 

Other health hazards

In 2025, there were 1,603 electric shock injuries and 88 related deaths, as well as 58 lightning injuries and 5 deaths. Most victims were aged 45–49 years.

 

Source:

www.thaihealth.or.th