CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – Since the start of the year, Thai authorities recorded 137,276 influenza cases, with thousands hospitalized and experts expecting even more infections in 2026 than in the previous year.
The Department of Disease Control urged vigilance, warning that community transmission of the virus continued despite a recent decline in weekly case numbers.
Figures that alarmed health authorities
According to Dr. Montien Kanasawat, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, 137,276 influenza cases were reported between 1 January and 9 March.
During the same period, there were 15,041 hospital admissions and eight deaths linked to influenza, the agency stated.
Who fell ill most often
Among the patients, children and working-age adults were most frequently affected, indicating widespread circulation of the virus in everyday life.
Most deaths occurred in people aged 60 and over or in those with pre-existing conditions such as kidney disease, immune disorders or cancer, and many of them were not vaccinated against influenza, according to Dr. Montien.
Children at the top of the statistics
The highest number of cases was recorded in children aged 5 to 9, with 26,806 reported infections.
They were followed by the 10- to 14-year age group with 20,812 cases and children aged 0 to 4 with 16,992 cases.
Hotspots in the North – and an outlier in the Northeast
Most infections were reported in four northern provinces: Phayao, Lampang, Phitsanulok and Chiang Mai.
The northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani was also singled out as particularly affected, health officials said.
Downward trend, but ongoing transmission
Dr. Montien said that case numbers had declined over the past week and were now below the level recorded in the same period last year.
At the same time, he noted that the current incidence still stood above the five-year average, which the department viewed as a sign of continued transmission in the community.
Seasonal pattern and comparison with last year
According to the authorities, influenza cases in Thailand typically increased at the beginning of the year and often peaked around mid-year, in line with the seasonal pattern.
In 2025, the country registered 1,194,342 influenza cases and 129 deaths, and ongoing surveillance suggested that 2026 could surpass those figures.
How influenza spreads – and doctors’ advice
Deputy director-general Dr. Direk Khampaen explained that influenza was transmitted via droplets generated when an infected person coughed or sneezed, through direct contact with respiratory secretions and via contaminated surfaces.
“Typical symptoms include high fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle pain and fatigue, and in older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses the disease can progress to pneumonia.”
said Dr. Direk Khampaen, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control.