Thailand Faces Sharp Rise in Respiratory Illnesses

As the rainy season descends upon Thailand, the nation's Public Health Ministry is sounding the alarm over a significant uptick in influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases, particularly affecting children.

Dr. Panumas Yannawetsakul, the Director-General of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), reported that during the week of September 7-13, 2025, there were over 30,000 new flu cases and nearly 3,500 cases of RSV. Since the start of the year, the total number of flu cases has soared to more than 555,000, resulting in 59 fatalities.

At-Risk Groups and Seasonal Trends

Children are bearing the brunt of this surge, with the highest rates of influenza reported in those aged 5 to 9, while RSV predominantly affects infants and toddlers aged 0 to 4. Dr. Panumas cautioned, "Both diseases thrive during the rainy season; without adequate prevention measures, they can quickly escalate into outbreaks, especially in schools and daycare settings."

Understand the Symptoms: Flu vs. RSV

While the symptoms for influenza and RSV may appear similar, they have distinct characteristics. Influenza generally strikes suddenly, manifesting as a high fever, chills, body aches, and a dry cough. On the other hand, RSV tends to cause more severe respiratory issues like wheezing and shortness of breath, particularly in young children.

Essential Precautions for Families

In light of these alarming trends, Dr. Direk Khampaen, Deputy Director-General of the DDC, is urging families to adopt proactive protective measures. Key recommendations include wearing face masks in crowded environments, practicing frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with those who are ill, and crucially, keeping sick children at home to prevent further transmission.