Khon Kaen: Influenza outbreak in Khon Kaen, patients increase to over 2,000, situation expected to improve after school break. Dr. Apichai Limanon, Khon Kaen Provincial Public Health Doctor, revealed the situation of influenza in the area that there is currently a clear upward trend. From January to February, there were more patients than the average of the past 5 years, which was around 200 patients per week, but now it has increased to 400-600 patients per week. Currently, Khon Kaen Province has more than 2,000 cumulative influenza patients. However, there have been no reports of deaths and most patients have been treated and recovered.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Apichai continued that influenza is a disease caused by a virus that can mutate easily, similar to COVID-19, making it easily contagious. The best prevention is to wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, keep your distance from others, and get vaccinated. The Ministry of Public Health, together with the National Health Security Office (NHSO), has prepared influenza vaccines for the 608 risk groups, including the elderly aged 65 and over, young children under 2 years old, and those with underlying diseases. It is expected that vaccination services will begin in March to April 2025 before the rainy season this year.
For the current epidemic trend, the group with the most patients is children aged 5-9 years, especially in kindergarten and early primary school, because children have low immunity and are in close contact at school, causing the virus to spread quickly. However, it is expected that after entering the school break in March, the epidemic will decrease and the situation will return to normal by April.