Probe performed on chickenpox outbreak at Thai college

BANGKOK – The Division of Illness Management has launched an pressing investigation right into a chickenpox outbreak at two schools at Thammasat College’s Rangsit campus, after courses had been moved totally on-line from March 3 to six. Officers stated an investigation workforce was dispatched and authorities are tracing circumstances linked to a mid-February pupil camp.
Pressing investigation launched after on-line swap

The Division of Illness Management (DDC) has performed an pressing illness investigation after an outbreak of chickenpox at two schools at Thammasat College’s Rangsit campus prompted the campus to change their courses to be totally on-line from March 3 to six.

DDC director-general Dr Montien Kanasawat on Wednesday up to date the media of illness investigation after he despatched an emergency investigation workforce to the campus on Tuesday.

Dr Montien stated the DDC was alerted to the state of affairs on March 3, 2026, and dispatched a illness investigation workforce to the world, working with the Workplace of Illness Prevention and Management Area 4 and the Pathum Thani Provincial Public Well being Workplace.

February pupil camp recognized as key publicity occasion

Preliminary data confirmed a pupil camp was held from February 13–16, 2026, with round 66 members. About 60 college college students from a number of provinces reportedly joined. One participant developed chickenpox signs and was requested to depart, whereas the camp continued.

13 college college students and 10 college pupils reported ailing

Dr Montien stated that from late February to early March, circumstances had been detected amongst each college college students and college pupils. About 13 college college students and 10 college pupils had been reported ailing and had entered the therapy system. The college introduced a suspension of courses, whereas officers started tracing which provinces the college pupils returned to, so provincial public well being places of work might be assigned to handle the state of affairs regionally.

Officers warn towards complacency; circumstances nationwide “not greater” year-on-year

Dr Montien stated the cluster underlined the necessity for stronger private well being schooling and prevention measures. He stated some folks would possibly assume that sending a sick individual residence resolves the issue, however in apply extra measures could also be wanted.

He added that chickenpox is widespread, with round 10,000 circumstances recorded nationwide over the primary two months of 2026, and the determine was not greater than the identical interval final yr.

How chickenpox spreads and the best way to stop an infection

Chickenpox spreads simply by coughing and sneezing, in addition to contact with a affected person’s secretions, Dr Montien stated. Typical signs embrace rashes, blisters and fever. Youngsters typically expertise milder sickness, whereas adults could have extra extreme signs.

He suggested avoiding shut contact with sufferers and sustaining good private hygiene, together with frequent handwashing. Vaccination might help for many who can obtain it, however it stays an elective, self-paid vaccine. Any transfer to make it free would require an evaluation of cost-effectiveness.

Dr Montien stated most individuals get chickenpox solely as soon as, however immunity can decline over time. Folks with out immunity—both as a result of they’ve by no means had the illness or have by no means been vaccinated—face the next threat of turning into contaminated after publicity. He added there was no indication the virus itself had modified to turn into extra contagious.

School announcement: all undergraduate courses on-line by way of MS Groups or Zoom

On March 3, 2026, the School of Political Science at Thammasat College posted an announcement on Fb, switching undergraduate instructing on the Rangsit campus to totally on-line from March 3–6, 2026 after detecting chickenpox amongst some college students.

The school stated all undergraduate courses on the Rangsit campus could be taught on-line by way of MS Groups or Zoom, and the state of affairs could be monitored intently, with additional measures to be launched instantly if wanted. The transfer got here throughout the seasonal interval when chickenpox typically spreads, sometimes from January to April.

Medical doctors define incubation interval, signs and problems

Dr Pairoj Surattanawanich, deputy director-general of the Division of Medical Providers, stated chickenpox is very contagious and may unfold by coughing, sneezing, close-range respiration, shut contact, or sharing objects with a affected person. Folks with shingles can even unfold the virus. The incubation interval is often two to a few weeks.

Signs typically start with a flat pink rash that develops into clear blisters, which may later turn into cloudy. The rash generally seems on the face, torso and again and may happen within the mouth. After two to a few days, lesions start to crust over. Younger youngsters typically have low-grade fever, fatigue and poor urge for food, whereas adults usually tend to develop excessive fever and flu-like aches. Some adults could develop mouth blisters that turn into painful ulcers.

Problems can embrace secondary bacterial an infection of the pores and skin that leaves scars. In folks with weakened immunity, an infection can unfold to the lungs, mind or liver. In pregnant girls within the first three to 4 months of being pregnant, it could have an effect on the foetus.

House care recommendation and when to hunt pressing therapy

Dr Sutsaranya Pruenglamphu, a dermatologist on the Institute of Dermatology, stated gentle circumstances could be handled at residence with relaxation and paracetamol to scale back fever. He cautioned towards utilizing aspirin because of the threat of great problems affecting the mind and liver. Sufferers ought to drink loads of fluids and use anti-itch treatment if wanted.

He stated these with excessive fever, in depth rash, shortness of breath, seizures, drowsiness, or underlying well being circumstances ought to search medical consideration instantly.

The infectious interval begins round 24 hours earlier than the rash seems and lasts till all blisters have dried—sometimes six to seven days. Sufferers ought to keep off college or work to stop transmission and keep away from scratching or selecting at blisters, which may trigger everlasting scarring.