Saturday, March 7, 2026, 6:00 a.m.
‘Chickenpox‘ outbreak
10,000 people are already infected.
in young children of school age
indicates an increasing trend
Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health found a report on the situation. “Chickenpox” in Thailand after finding that cases continued to increase at the beginning of the year. Especially among young children – school age children. that are gathered together in educational institutions This allows the disease to spread easily through coughing, sneezing, and touching sick people’s blisters. or sharing personal items
On March 6, 2026, Dr. Montien Khanasawat, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, revealed that from data from the digital disease surveillance system Epidemiology Division Between 1 January – 4 March 2026, a total of 10,560 cases of chickenpox were found and no deaths were found. There were 208 patients requiring hospital treatment (1.97 percent). When considering age groups, it was found that school age children had the highest rate of illness, including those aged 5-9 years (76.40 per 100,000 population), followed by those aged 10-14 years (55.90 per 100,000 population) and those aged 0-4 years (49.10 per 100,000 population), reflecting that the grouping of children in educational institutions is an important factor contributing to the spread of the disease. Patients can be found throughout the year but tend to increase during January-April. Especially during the school term when many children are together.
In the case of the latest case where a group of chickenpox patients were found in an educational institution. Khlong Luang District Pathum Thani Province Department of Disease Control and the multidisciplinary public health network team Preliminary investigation confirmed that the incident was chickenpox, which is caused by the Varicella zoster virus. A total of 23 patients were found, divided into 22 suspected cases and 1 laboratory confirmed case. Most of the patients had fever along with a rash and clear fluid-filled blisters all over the body, which are specific symptoms of the disease. There have not been any patients with severe symptoms or complications.
All participants are currently under surveillance. Public health officials have continued to implement disease control measures, including isolating sick people. Following up on symptoms of contacts Cleaning the place and communicating health information to parents and related parties and continuing to closely monitor the situation. This is because chickenpox has an incubation period of approximately 10-21 days.
Dr. Direk Khampaen, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, said that although most chickenpox cases are not severe, But the patient should take time off from school or work. and stay at home until the rash has completely dried and scabbed over. To reduce the spread of infection to others Symptoms generally improve and disappear within 1-3 weeks. Pregnant women should avoid contact with sick people. Because it may affect the fetus.
For the vaccine against chickenpox The Subcommittee on Immunization has considered the seventh priority of introducing new vaccines into the immunization program. The target group is children aged 1 year and children aged 4 – 6 years, 2 doses. Introducing the vaccine into the system has the potential to reduce disease burden and outbreaks in schools in the long term.
The Department of Disease Control recommends that people strictly follow disease prevention measures, including washing hands often and avoiding sharing personal items. And wear a mask when you are sick. If you have a fever along with a rash or blisters on the body You should immediately see a doctor and avoid close contact with others. It is confirmed that the situation is still under close surveillance of public health agencies. and the spread can be controlled with appropriate public health measures. People can ask for more information at Department of Disease Control hotline, call 1422
