SOUTH THAILAND – Health authorities have launched a vaccination campaign following the deaths of five people in a recent measles outbreak in Thailand’s southernmost provinces. The victims, including three children under 15, died in Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani over the past month, raising concerns from the Department of Disease Control (DDC).
Between January and September, 4,408 suspected measles cases were reported, with 2,371 confirmed by lab tests. Of those infected, 371 developed pneumonia as a complication. The outbreak has been linked to low vaccination rates in the far South, where only 40–50% of the population is vaccinated, compared to the national rate of 80–90%.
The vaccination drive targets kindergarten and primary school students, with efforts to complete vaccinations before next month’s school break. Authorities are now working to curb the spread of the disease, which typically peaks between July and September.
Measles, a contagious viral infection, usually presents with symptoms like fever, runny nose, cough, and inflamed eyes. (NNT)
