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

Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: The names and presenting symptoms of communicable diseases under surveillance, B.E. 2562 (2019)

Published in the Government Gazette 27 January B.E. 2563 (2020); in force from 28 January B.E. 2563 (2020)

Whereas it is expedient to revise the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: the names and presenting symptoms of communicable diseases under surveillance, B.E. 2559 (2016), dated 19 May B.E. 2559 (2016), for the purpose of the surveillance, prevention, and control of communicable diseases.

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. This Notification is called “Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: the names and presenting symptoms of communicable diseases under surveillance, B.E. 2562 (2019)”

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

Clause 3. The Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: the names and presenting symptoms of communicable diseases under surveillance, B.E. 2559 (2016), shall be repealed.

Clause 4. The following communicable diseases shall be called communicable diseases under surveillance, with the following names and presenting symptoms:

(1) Lymphogranuloma Venereum or Granuloma Inguinale is characterized by small papules or shallow ulcers in the genital area, which are often unnoticed. The infection subsequently spreads to the inguinal lymph nodes, causing pain and swelling that may become inflamed and develop into abscesses, eventually resulting in suppuration. No inflammatory lesions are observed on the legs, feet, or anus.

(2) Health care-associated Infection or Hospital-Acquired Infection is an infectious disease affecting various organs in patients who acquire the infection during hospitalization, including medical personnel infected during the course of their duties. Symptoms commonly include fever and other organ-specific manifestations.

(3) Meningococcal Meningitis is characterized by a fever, headache, vomiting, lethargy, convulsions, high fever, decreased consciousness, or coma. Signs of meningeal irritation may be present. Severe cases may develop petechial rash and rapid progression to septic shock.

(4) Scarlet Fever is characterized by a fever, sore throat, and red rash appearing on the neck, armpits, trunk, arms, or legs. The rash texture resembles sandpaper, flushed face, pale lips, and the tongue initially covered with a white coating which later peels off, revealing a swollen red tongue.

(5) Dengue Fever is characterized by an acute high fever, leukopenia (WBC 20% above baseline, or hemoconcentration. Symptoms may also show signs of pleural effusion.

Dengue Shock Syndrome is a severe form of dengue hemorrhagic fever presenting with hypotension or a narrow pulse pressure (systolic - diastolic difference < 20 mmHg), indicating circulatory shock.

(6) Chikungunya Fever is characterized by a high fever, rash, myalgia, arthralgia or bone pain, headache, retro-orbital pain, and cutaneous bleeding.

(7) Malaria is characterized by a fever, chills, headache, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, or cold extremities. Severe cases may involve multi-organ failure, such as coma, pulmonary edema, or renal failure.

(8) Pyrexia of Unknown Origin or Fever of Unknown Origin is characterized by a fever lasting more than three weeks, where after one week of diagnostic evaluation by a specialist, no definitive cause is identified.

(9) Japanese Encephalitis is characterized by a fever, headache, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and possibly rhinorrhea or cough lasting 2 – 4 days. This may be followed by altered mental status such as drowsiness, confusion, behavioral changes, or coma. May present with limb weakness, generalized or focal seizures, or ataxia.

(10) Unspecified Encephalitis is characterized by a fever, headache, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and possibly rhinorrhea or cough lasting 2 - 4 days. Subsequently, the patient may develop altered consciousness, confusion, behavioral changes, coma, seizures (generalized or focal), limb weakness, or ataxia.

(11) Avian Influenza is characterized by a fever and may present with myalgia, cough, or respiratory distress. Pulmonary edema or avian influenza infection may be clinically suspected.

(12) Influenza is characterized by a fever, headache, myalgia, cough, sore throat, and fatigue. Nasal congestion or conjunctivitis may also be present. Symptoms typically resolve within 2 - 7 days, but fatigue and cough may persist longer than other symptoms.

(13) Measles is characterized by a fever and generalized erythematous maculopapular rash lasting more than 3 days, initially appearing on the face and spreading to the rest of the body within 2 - 3 days. The rash fades into a dark red discoloration lasting for several days. Koplik spots may be observed for 1 - 2 days. Associated symptoms may include a cough, rhinorrhea, or conjunctivitis.

(14) Rubella is characterized by a low fever, generalized lymphadenopathy, arthralgia, arthritis, and conjunctivitis. A sudden onset of erythematous rash typically appears within 1 - 2 days of fever onset and resolves within 3 days without post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

(15) Enteric Fever is characterized by a fever, malaise, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and right upper quadrant discomfort. This may be followed by dark urine and jaundice of the skin and eyes. There should be no history of drug or toxic exposure that may cause a hepatic injury.

(16) Enterovirus Infection is characterized by a fever and acute respiratory distress. In cases involving the central nervous system, signs may include seizures or convulsions, tremors, or limb weakness. Rash or vesicles on the palms or soles may be present.

(17) Diphtheria is characterized by a fever and sore throat, possibly accompanied by a grayish-white pseudo membrane that bleeds easily. In severe cases, there may be unilateral or bilateral neck swelling, which can lead to airway obstruction as a complication.

(18) Mumps is characterized by a low fever and sudden painful swelling of the salivary glands, typically the parotid glands. It may be unilateral or bilateral, with no other identifiable cause. Patients may also experience sore throat while swallowing saliva, jaw pain while chewing, oropharyngeal erythema, and swelling of the ductal orifices. Complications such as meningitis may occur.

(19) Syphilis is characterized by 3 stages:

Stage I: Ulcerative stage of syphilis is characterized by a red papule that ulcerates into a firm, raised lesion, most commonly occurring on the genitalia. Typically, there is a single lesion with a clean ulcer base covered by a serosanguinous exudate. The ulcer may heal spontaneously without pain. Inguinal lymphadenopathy may occur, characterized by painless enlargement of the lymph nodes. These symptoms usually develop approximately 10 - 90 days after exposure to the infection.

Stage II: Rash stage of syphilis is characterized by a non-pruritic rash on the body, including palms and soles, low fever, malaise, headache, arthralgia, alopecia, and tender or non-tender lymphadenopathy (inguinal, postauricular, or epitrochlear). This stage typically begins 4 - 6 weeks after the primary stage.

Stage III: Tertiary stage Involves destruction of vital internal organs, potentially resulting in disabilities such as aortic aneurysm, cardiac dysfunction, psychiatric or neurologic symptoms, chronic ulcers, or bone destruction. These symptoms usually develop approximately 5 - 10 years after exposure to the infection.

(20) Tetanus is characterized by an acute onset of painful muscle stiffness, trismus, neck stiffness, dysphagia, and generalized muscle spasms triggered by air, sound, or light stimuli. Sensorium remains intact.

Neonatal Tetanus presents with a history of normal feeding and crying during the first 2 days of life, followed by inability to suck, neck and back stiffness, and startle or seizure-like spasms triggered by air, light, or sound between 3 - 28 days of age.

(21) Poliomyelitis is characterized by an acute onset of flaccid paralysis in one or more limbs without sensory loss, accompanied by fever at the onset of paralysis. The degree of paralysis in the limbs is typically asymmetric, except in severe cases.

(22) Chancroid is characterized by genital ulcers that begin as red papules progressing to pustules, which then rupture to form painful ulcers. Lesions may be single or multiple, with soft, undermined edges and yellowish necrotic base. Inguinal lymphadenopathy or abscesses may also be present.

(23) Trichinosis is characterized by a fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle pain. Periorbital or facial swelling, along with swelling of the extremities, may also be present.

(24) Liver Fluke Infection is characterized by an abdominal bloating and discomfort, particularly in the epigastric and right upper quadrant regions, often accompanied by a burning sensation, anorexia, weight loss, flatulence, dyspepsia, and fatigue. Physical examination may reveal hepatomegaly with tenderness. In severe cases involving biliary inflammation due to heavy parasite burden, symptoms may include a high fever, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, and pruritus. Diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of liver fluke eggs in the stool.

(25) Melioidosis is characterized by a high fever and inflammation of various organs, such as pneumonia, osteomyelitis, or abscesses in the lungs, lymph nodes, skin, liver, or spleen, in the absence of other identifiable pathogens. In severe cases, patients may develop septic shock or signs of sepsis.

(26) Eosinophilic Meningitis is characterized by an abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and mild headache lasting 2 - 3 days, followed by a sudden worsening of symptoms including visual impairment, neck and back stiffness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, skin numbness, limb weakness, facial or ocular muscle paralysis, convulsions, and meningeal irritation. Consciousness levels may range from normal to coma. In infants, bulging of the anterior fontanelle may be present.

(27) Unspecified Meningitis is characterized by a fever, headache, vomiting, and drowsiness. Seizures may occur as the condition progresses. During febrile episodes, levels of consciousness may range from normal to unresponsive, and signs of meningeal irritation are typically present.

(28) Anogenital Herpes is characterized by burning, itching, and clusters of clear vesicles that rupture to form ulcers. Multiple lesions are common, and healing is typically slow. Recurrent episodes may present with crusted lesions resolving within 1 - 2 weeks. Common sites include the penis, vulva, cervix, or anus. Oral lesions may also be present in some cases.

(29) Viral Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E is characterized by an acute onset of fever, malaise, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and right upper quadrant discomfort. This is followed by dark urine, jaundice of the skin and eyes. Laboratory findings show evidence of hepatitis virus or specific antibodies in the absence of drug or toxin exposure as a cause of acute hepatitis.

(30) Viral Conjunctivitis is characterized by an eye pain, conjunctival inflammation, and subconjunctival hemorrhage, which typically resolves within 7 - 12 days. Neurological complications such as acute flaccid muscle weakness may also be present.

(31) Zika Virus Disease is characterized by a fever, arthralgia, myalgia, headache, and conjunctivitis. In some cases, a generalized maculopapular rash may also be present.

(32) Streptococcus suis Infection is characterized by clinical signs of meningitis such as a fever, headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, photophobia, confusion, and possible sensorineural hearing loss progressing to permanent deafness. Other symptoms may include dizziness, arthritis, or cellulitis. In cases of septicemia, it may affect multiple organs such as liver, kidneys, endocardium, lungs, or eyes, along with petechial rash and shock. After recovery, vestibular dysfunction and hearing impairment may persist.

(33) Elephantiasis Lymphatic Filariasis is characterized by an acute fever, myalgia, and painful erythematous swelling of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. The symptoms will appear suddenly and typically resolving within 2 - 3 days. Chronic manifestations include recurrent episodes of lymphangitis or lymphatic obstruction, possibly resulting in lymphedema of limbs or genital organs.

(34) Brucellosis is characterized by an undulant fever, chills, night sweats, arthralgia, myalgia, fatigue, anorexia, and jaundice or pallor.

(35) Pneumonitis or Pneumonia is characterized by a fever, and may be accompanied by myalgia, cough, or respiratory distress. The cases may be clinically suspected of being infected with pneumonia or infected with viral influenza, avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), or other unidentified pathogens with a history of causing pneumonia in healthcare personnel or involving two or more epidemiologically linked cases or community-acquired pneumonia requiring intubation within 48 hours or resulting in death within 48 hours of hospital admission.

(36) Rabies is characterized by a fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, myalgia, localized paresthesia or pruritus at or near the bite site.

Furious form is characterized by agitation, hypersensitivity to stimuli, confusion, dysphagia, autonomic dysfunction (profuse sweating, lacrimation, piloerection, mydriasis, hypersalivation, involuntary ejaculation), aggression, hallucinations, seizures, dyspnea, or loss of consciousness.

Paralytic form is characterized by ascending paralysis starting from the bitten limb, urinary incontinence, decreased pain sensation, dysarthria, dysphagia, hypersalivation, hydrophobia, and aerophobia. Deep tendon reflexes may be absent.

(37) Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is characterized by multiple painful oral vesicles or ulcers and fever lasting 5 - 7 days, accompanied by small red macules or vesicles on the palms, fingers, soles, or buttocks.

(38) Leprosy is characterized by hypopigmented or erythematous macules or plaques with sensory loss (numbness, painlessness), anhidrosis, alopecia, or nodular skin lesions. If left untreated, it may lead to permanent deformities of the hands and feet and chronic ulcers.

(39) Leishmaniasis is characterized by varies from asymptomatic infection to visceral involvement.

Cutaneous form is characterized by a chronic skin ulcer at the site of sandfly bite, appearing 2 - 3 days to several weeks post-exposure. Lesions may be single or multiple, beginning as firm, red papules enlarging with central ulceration and yellowish crust, with well-defined, raised borders and visible granulation tissue.

Visceral form is characterized by a systemic infection affecting bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, and liver. Symptoms may include a prolonged fever, progressive weight loss, pallor, abdominal distension, hepatosplenomegaly, spontaneous bleeding (e.g., epistaxis, gingival bleeding), lymphadenopathy, skin hyperpigmentation, and fatigue.

(40) Leptospirosis is characterized by a high fever, chills, severe myalgia (especially in the calves and thighs), conjunctival suffusion, and dry or blood-tinged cough. In some cases, neurological symptoms such as severe headache, neck stiffness, and altered mental status may occur. Severe cases may present with acute renal failure (oliguria or anuria), respiratory failure, jaundice, or hemorrhagic manifestations (e.g., hematemesis, melena, hemoptysis).

(41) Scrub typhus is characterized by an acute febrile illness, headache, myalgia, retro-orbital pain, conjunctival injection, lymphadenopathy with tenderness, and may present with dry cough. Some patients may develop maculopapular rash resolving within 2 - 3 days and eschar resembling a cigarette burn, typically located in concealed areas such as the axilla or groin. In severe cases, symptoms may include drowsiness, encephalitis, pneumonia, and jaundice.

(42) Varicella (Chickenpox) is characterized by a low fever and widespread rash consisting of both maculopapular and vesicular lesions appearing simultaneously. The lesions typically crust over at varying times. The rash tends to occur in clusters, and the vesicular fluid may be clear or turbid.

(43) Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) in severe cases, patients may present with a high fever, headache, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea or constipation. This may be followed by neck stiffness, back stiffness, muscle pain or spasms in the limbs, and sudden onset of flaccid paralysis without sensory loss. Paralysis may affect upper or lower limbs, and in critical cases, respiratory muscles may be involved.

(44) Acute diarrhea is characterized by the passage of at least three loose stools or one watery or bloody stool within 24 hours period. Symptoms may also include vomiting or signs of dehydration.

(45) Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is characterized by severe immunosuppression leading to increased susceptibility to life - threatening opportunistic infections or malignancies. Clinical manifestations vary and may include respiratory symptoms such as pneumonia, gastrointestinal symptoms such as chronic or recurrent diarrhea, central nervous system involvement, or unexplained fever. Additional signs include rapid weight loss, cachexia, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, and certain malignancies.

(46) Anthrax Cutaneous anthrax presents with pruritus, followed by vesicle formation at the site of infection, which then progresses to a red papule, pustule, and eventually ulceration with surrounding vesicles. Regional lymphadenopathy may occur.

Gastrointestinal anthrax, involving the oral cavity or abdomen, presents with lesions similar to cutaneous forms, severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, hematochezia, shock, unconsciousness, and potential death.

Inhalational anthrax initially resembles a respiratory tract infection, progressing to dyspnea, respiratory distress, high fever, chest pain, dry cough, possible meningitis, shock, unconsciousness, and potential death within 3 - 5 days.

(47) Tuberculosis is characterized by a chronic cough, fatigue, low fever, weight loss, hoarseness, chest pain, and hemoptysis. Symptoms may involve the lungs, meninges, lymph nodes, or other organs.

(48) Hepatitis (Unspecified etiology) is characterized by an acute febrile illness, malaise, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and discomfort or pain under the right costal margin. Later stages may include dark urine, jaundice of the skin and sclera, without history of drug or toxic exposure causing hepatitis.

(49) Gonorrhea In males, is characterized by frequent urination, dysuria, and purulent urethral discharge; in severe cases, testicular swelling and severe pain may occur. In females, is characterized by vaginal discharge, frequent or painful urination, purulent discharge from the vagina or urethra, or may be asymptomatic. Severe cases may involve salpingitis, resulting in lower abdominal pain.

(50) Non Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU) is characterized by dysuria, urethral pruritus or discomfort, and urethritis. Urethral discharge may be clear or cloudy. Most females are asymptomatic but may present with increased vaginal discharge or pruritus at the vaginal introitus.

(51) Condyloma Acuminata or Venereal Warts is characterized by Lesions appearing on the genital and anal areas with various presentations. In the case of cauliflower-like warts, they present as pinkish, fleshy projections resembling a rooster’s comb or cauliflower. In males, these warts are commonly found on the inner surface of the foreskin and may involve the urethral meatus, potentially extending inward. In men who have sex with men, warts often appear around the anus and may invade internally. In females, warts commonly occur at the vaginal introitus.

Flat warts typically present on the cervix as flat lesions.

3 - 4 millimeter reddish-brown, purple, or black, papules with a smooth or slightly rough surface, usually appear as multiple grouped lesions simultaneously.

Giant condyloma refers to rapidly enlarging warts that form large masses covering the entire genital area.

(52) Cholera is characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, sunken eyes, wrinkled skin, oliguria or anuria. Without prompt treatment, the disease may cause rapid death. Cholera is highly contagious and can cause epidemics.

(53) Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) is characterized by manifestations or abnormalities occurring within 4 weeks post-immunization, including a high fever, convulsions, muscle weakness, rash, or other related symptoms.

(54) Food poisoning is characterized by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and mild diarrhea occurring within 6 - 24 hours after ingestion of bacterial toxins. In cases of certain toxins, neurological symptoms may also be present.

(55) Pertussis: The initial stage is characterized by rhinorrhea, cough, mild fever, conjunctivitis, and lacrimation lasting approximately 1 - 2 weeks. The paroxysmal stage is characterized by severe coughing episodes lasting at least 2 weeks or more, with inspiratory “whoop” sounds occurring during or after coughing. Infants may experience post-tussive vomiting, cyanosis during coughing, and subconjunctival hemorrhage. During the convalescent stage, coughing occurs in spasms that gradually decrease in frequency and severity but may persist for several weeks. The entire course of illness without complications typically lasts 6 - 10 weeks.

Announced on the 28th Day of November B.E. 2562 (2019)

Anutin Charnvirakul

Minister of Public Health

Unofficial English translation by the Division of Legal Affairs, Department of Disease Control (August 2025), book page 59; the Thai text prevails.