Rabies Situation in Thailand, 2024–2025

Authors

  • Lilawan Sukkho Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
  • Thanumas Sumanothayan Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
  • Natthawadee Sriwannayot Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
  • Phanwipha Mueanphet Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
  • Thanatcha Naruenartwattana Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
  • Chayanit Mahasing Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59096/wesr.v56i4.5568

Keywords:

situation, rabies

Abstract

Highlight

- Rabies is a significant zoonotic disease in Thailand, being a key initiative under the Royal Project and with a goal for elimination by 2030.

- From 2024 to the first quarter of 2025, a total of 8 human rabies deaths were reported. Some areas reported cases continuously, which correlated with a high proportion of rabies-positive animals, while other areas that had not reported cases for several years saw an increase in cases during 2024–2025. This reflects a shifting epidemiological situation that requires close and comprehensive surveillance across all areas.

- Although the risk of a widespread, severe epidemic is low, rabies significantly impacts multiple dimensions, including society, the healthcare system, and the economy. Consequently, close surveillance and effective disease control measures, requiring collaboration across all sectors, remain of paramount importance.

References

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World Health Organization. Executive summary: Driving progress towards rabies elimination [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019 [cited 2025 Mar 18]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/14-01-2019-executive-summary-driving-progress-towards-rabies-elimination

Ministry of Public Health [TH], Department of Disease Control. Rabies, Hydrophobia [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 18]. Available from: https://ddc.moph.go.th/disease_detail.php?d=25 (in Thai)

Department of Disease Control [TH], Division of General Communicable Diseases. Clinical practice guidelines for rabies and frequently asked questions [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2025 Mar 18]. Available from: https://ddc.moph.go.th/uploads/publish/1478520231024042510.pdf (in Thai)

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Phianchana C. Guidelines for the prevention and management of rabies exposure [Internet]. Mahasarakham: Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University; 2020 [cited 2025 Apr 20]. Available from: https://ccpe.pharmacycouncil.org/showfile.php?file=929 (in Thai)

Bureau of Disease Control and Veterinary Services, Department of Livestock Development [TH]. Rabies-Free Animals, Safe People Project for Fiscal Year 2025 [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 Apr 24]. Available from: https://dcontrol.dld.go.th/webnew/index.php/th/news-menu/2018-07-02-08-24-32/9399-2568 (in Thai)

World Health Organization. Human rabies prevention and management [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025 Mar 31]. Available from: https://www.who.int/activities/human-rabies-prevention-and-management/human-rabies-prevention-and-management

Downloads

Published

2025-04-29

How to Cite

Sukkho, L., Sumanothayan, T., Sriwannayot, N., Mueanphet, P., Naruenartwattana, T., & Mahasing, C. (2025). Rabies Situation in Thailand, 2024–2025 . Weekly Epidemiological Surveillance Report, 56(4), e5568. https://doi.org/10.59096/wesr.v56i4.5568

Issue

Section

Health situation analysis