Communicable Diseases Act, B.E. 2558 (2015) · dangerous communicable disease

Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: The names and presenting symptoms of dangerous communicable diseases, B.E. 2559 (2016)

Published in the Government Gazette 3 June B.E. 2559 (2016); in force from 4 June B.E. 2559 (2016)

By virtue of section 5 and section 6 (1) of the Communicable Diseases Act, B.E. 2558 (2015), the Minister of Public Health by and with the advice of the National Communicable Disease Committee, hereby issues the following Notification:

Clause 1. The following communicable diseases shall be called dangerous communicable diseases with the following names and presenting symptoms:

(1) The Plague, which can be further categorized into the following 3 sub-types

The first type is the Bubonic plague which is characterized by high fever, chills, sore throat, headache, swollen and pus-filled lymph nodes in the groin or underarm area, or splenomegaly with abscess.

The second type is the Septicemic Plague which is characterized by symptoms of septicemia, high fever, headache, vomiting, pharyngitis and tonsillitis, and may be accompanied by meningitis and purpuric skin lesions.

The third type is the Pneumonic Plague which is characterized by high fever, chills, coughing with bloody mucus and dyspnea. A chest x-ray examination can usually discover pneumonia.

(2) Smallpox is characterized by high fever, body ache, headache, backache, fatigue, and may be accompanied by abdominal pain. Prior to the appearance of rashes, symptoms are similar to influenza. After the development of a high fever, rashes will appear, followed by blisters, sores, pustules and scabs that last for a period of 3 - 4 weeks. The rash usually appears on the face, arms, legs and other areas that often experience friction rather than along the body. The scabs that have fallen off may leave behind some scarring and progression of the disease may result in disability and blindness.

(3) Crimean - Congo Hemorrhagic Fever is characterized by an acute onset of fever, muscle pain, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, back pain, headache, sore eyes, flushed face and photophobia. Some cases may experience nausea, vomiting and sore throat, often accompanied by diarrhea and abdominal pain, in the early stages of the disease. As the disease progresses, symptoms will include emotional instability, confusion and aggressive behavior which may progress into drowsiness, depression, increased heart rate, enlarged lymph nodes, petechial rashes along the body and mucosal membranes such as the lips, the palate and the throat. There may also be various hemorrhagic phenomena such as such gastrointestinal bleeding, bloody urine, nosebleeds and bleeding gums. Some cases may also experience symptoms of hepatitis.

(4) West Nile Fever is characterized by fever, headache, chills, sweating, skin rash, fatigue, lymphadenitis, depression, joint pain, and symptoms which are similar to cold or influenza. Nausea and vomiting may occur in some cases. Severe cases are usually related to the central nervous system such as meningitis or encephalitis and will develop high fever, stiff neck, lethargy, convulsions, unconsciousness and other symptoms.

(5) Yellow Fever is characterized by an acute onset of fever that lasts for 5 - 7 days. The fever is usually accompanied by headache, back pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Bleeding from the nose and mouth, and melena may occur. Patients in the initial stages will develop jaundice which may progress into more severe conditions that may lead to death.

(6) Lassa Fever is characterized by fever, headache, sore throat, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, and chest pain and abdominal pain. The fever may remain constant throughout the progression of the disease or may spike at intervals. Other symptoms include conjunctivitis and pharyngitis with pus. Sever cases may experience symptoms such as bleeding, shock, and swelling of the face and neck. The platelet count is reduced and platelet function is abnormal. Some cases may experience hearing loss due to the damage to cranial nerve VIII.

(7) Nipah Virus Disease is characterized by cold-like symptoms, high fever, muscle pain and encephalitis. Some cases may develop respiratory infections or fever accompanied by neurological symptoms such as disorientation, difficulty walking, lethargy, confusion or convulsions. Other symptoms include abnormalities of eye muscle movement, such as nystagmus and spasms of the arms and legs, and irregular blood pressure and pulse rate. Severe cases may lead to death.

(8) Marburg Virus Disease is characterized by an acute onset of high fever, fatigue, and severe muscle pain and headache. These symptoms are followed by sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, the appearance of red papules along the body, hemorrhages that are often associated with liver damage, kidney failure, central nervous system symptoms, shock, multi-organ dysfunction and sometimes death.

(9) Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is characterized by fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea and rashes. Some cases may have both internal and external hemorrhages. In severe cases, may encounter liver or kidney failure that may lead to death. The majority of cases have had a history of coming into contact with either living or dead humans or animals infected with EVD.

(10) Hendra Virus Disease is characterized by high fever, headache, sore throat, dizziness, lethargy and confusion. Some cases may display similar to influenza. Pneumonia is a common symptom in the initial stages of the infection. In severe cases, there will be respiratory failure that may lead to death.

(11) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is characterized by high fever, body ache and headache. Some cases may experience mild respiratory symptoms, watery diarrhea and pneumonia. Sever cases may lead to death.

(12) Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is characterized by fever, coughing and dyspnea. Some cases may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases, symptoms include pneumonia, respiratory failure and organ failure, specifically kidney failure, that may lead to death.

Clause 2. This Notification shall come into force on the day following the date of its publication in the Government Gazette.

Announced on the 19th day of May, B.E. 2559 (2016)

Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn

Minister of Public Health

Unofficial English translation by the Division of Legal Affairs, Department of Disease Control (August 2025), book page 49; the Thai text prevails.