Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has warned the public to remain vigilant against influenza after a rising trend in infections was recorded in the first months of 2026.
According to the agency under the Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, the country reported 137,276 influenza cases and eight deaths between January 1 and March 9 this year.
DDC Director-General Montien Kanasawat said the cumulative cases correspond to an illness rate of 211.48 per 100,000 people. Children aged 5–9 recorded the highest infection rate, followed by those aged 0–4 and 10–14.
Of the total cases, 15,041 patients, or 10.96%, required hospitalisation. Provinces reporting the highest illness rates include Phayao, Lampang, Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai and Ubon Ratchathani.
Although the number of cases began to decline last week and remains lower than during the same period last year, it is still above the five-year average, indicating that influenza continues to circulate in communities.
Most fatalities were reported among people aged 60 and above, particularly those with underlying health conditions such as kidney disease, immunodeficiency or cancer, and who had not received influenza vaccinations, Montien said.
The official added that surveillance data over recent years shows influenza infections often increase at the beginning of the year and tend to peak around mid-year following seasonal patterns.
In 2025, Thailand recorded more than 1.19 million influenza cases and 129 deaths, reflecting the continued burden of the disease. Current surveillance suggests the total number of infections in 2026 could surpass last year’s figure, particularly during the middle of the year./.
