The Thai Ministry of Public Health has underscored the significance of collaboration across all sectors to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with tuberculosis (TB), which is treatable if properly managed. On February 28, 2025, Dr. Panumas Yanawetsakul, the Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, pointed out the concerning statistics of TB, stating the country still faces high rates of incidence at 157 per 100,000 people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). He emphasized the impact of stigma and discrimination on the fight against TB, noting these societal attitudes deter individuals from seeking diagnosis and treatment for the disease.
Dr. Niti Hetanurak, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, elaborated on the importance of raising awareness and dissemining accurate information about TB—including its causes, detection, diagnosis, and treatment methodologies—to healthcare personnel, patients, and the general public. This education is particularly pertinent for those residing with or close to TB patients, encouraging consistent screening and preventive measures to halt the transmission of TB.
Dr. Niti explained, "If everyone has awareness, knowledge, and correct understandings about tuberculosis, we can minimize the stigma and discrimination associated with this disease. This will encourage more individuals to access healthcare services for TB screening and treatment, aligning with our public health goals to control TB effectively by 2025." The Ministry advises the public to engage positively with TB patients and support them to seek continuous care since tuberculosis can be cured. This societal shift is deemed pivotal to achieving the goal of making Thailand TB-free.
Simultaneously, on March 1, 2025, Dr. Panumas provided updates on the recent outbreak of scarlet fever (or "red fever") affecting school children in Bangkok. Reports indicated some classes temporarily dismissed due to this illness. He stressed the commitment of the Department of Disease Control to adhere strictly to preventive measures by instructing schools to conduct daily screenings of students and advocation for parents to monitor their children closely.
"Scarlet fever is not a new disease; the public should not panic. It is classified as a contagious disease under the Communicable Disease Act of 2015, caused by bacteria known as Streptococcus group A, and typically results in mild symptoms," said Dr. Panumas. Statistics from the Epidemiology Bureau showed 455 confirmed cases from January 1 to February 28, 2025, with no reported fatalities. Most cases are children aged 5 to 15, though other age groups can also show symptoms.
Scarlet fever symptoms often begin with fever and sore throat, accompanied by red rashes on the neck, armpits, torso, arms, or legs. The rash has a sandpaper-like texture and often presents with facial redness and pale lips. The misinformation around such diseases often causes unnecessary fear and confusion. Dr. Panumas outlined preventive measures such as maintaining overall health, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and regular hand washing with soap or alcohol gel.
The Department of Disease Control has extended its communications to assist not only with TB but other health issues, focusing on community awareness and education to prevent outbreaks of diseases like scarlet fever as well. For any health-related inquiries, the public is advised to contact the Disease Control Department's hotline at 1422.
Through patient education and outreach, the Thai Ministry aims not only to control infectious diseases but also to promote public health safety at large. By informing communities and providing actionable advice, the goal remains to create healthier environments where stigmas surrounding diseases can be eliminated entirely. The commitment from both the healthcare professionals and the public to engage positively can drive significant improvement toward Thailand's health objectives.