Resurgence of Chikungunya in Thailand

Chikungunya is a re-emerging infectious disease in Thailand. We conducted this study to describe the epidemiological data of chikungunya infection in Thailand.

The data of patients with chikungunya reported to the Center of Epidemiological Information, Bureau of Epidemiology, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand from January 2008 to December 2023 were analyzed. The diagnosis of chikungunya fever adhered to clinical and laboratory criteria.

From August 2008 onward, chikungunya cases were again reported in Thailand. The disease is more common during the rainy season, affecting all age groups. The strain in the current outbreak is African, which differs from the Asian strain of the past. The sudden onset of very high fever along with rash, and severe arthralgia, especially in the small joints of hands and toes, are characteristics of the disease. There was only one death case in 2020; however, the high morbidity with severe arthralgia persisting for several months weakened the patients mentally and physically.

The implementation of effectively sustainable vector control is the key to success for prevention and control of this disease.