CHIANG RAI – Thailand’s health authorities have issued a renewed warning for travelers and residents amid ongoing measles outbreaks across the country, urging immediate vaccination to curb the highly contagious virus as cases continue to rise into 2026.

Dr Montien Kanasawat, Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, shared an update on the measles situation in Thailand. He said that from January to November 2025, confirmed cases have tended to be lower than in 2024.

Data from the Bureau of Epidemiology, based on surveillance of fever-and-rash cases and suspected measles or rubella using the “Elimination and Eradication” reporting programme, shows that between 1 January and 30 November 2025, there were 2,126 reports of fever with rash or suspected measles or rubella.

Of these, 486 were laboratory-confirmed measles cases, and 79 cases were linked through epidemiological investigation. This equals an incidence rate of 0.86 per 100,000 population. No deaths were reported.

For 2025, the overall trend points to fewer measles cases. Most cases (63 percent) were found across several provinces outside the four southern border provinces, which were the main outbreak area in 2024.

There were also reports in provinces that had not recorded cases in 2024, including Krabi, Chaiyaphum, Chiang Rai, Trat, Tak, Bueng Kan, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phang Nga, Phetchaburi, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Si Sa Ket, Sa Kaeo, Surin, Nong Bua Lamphu, and Ang Thong.

Dr Montien added that the United States is watching a wider measles outbreak closely, after infections were detected at two major airports over the New Year period. Measles spreads easily through the air and can remain in the environment for up to two hours. In the US, the disease has returned strongly, with more than 2,000 cases reported, linked to lower vaccination uptake.

He asked people to stay aware but not alarmed. Measles can be prevented with vaccination, and most people have already had it. Keep good hygiene, and if you develop a high fever with a rash after travelling from an area with reported outbreaks, see a doctor promptly.

What is measles, and what to watch for

Measles (Measles) is a viral infection that spreads through the respiratory tract. Symptoms usually appear about 10 to 14 days after exposure. In the first 3 to 4 days, it can look like a common cold, but it is often more severe. Around 1 to 2 days before the rash, some people may develop small white spots with a red rim inside the cheek, opposite the molars (they can look like grains of salt).

After about 3 to 4 days of fever, the rash usually starts behind the ears and along the hairline, then spreads to the face and neck, and continues down the body, arms, and legs. Measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, especially in young children and people with weakened immunity. Seek urgent medical care if there is fast or difficult breathing, ear pain, pus from the ear, seizures, unusual drowsiness, or severe diarrhoea.

Dr Direk Kham-paen, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, added that measles remains endemic in Thailand and continues to appear. Thailand has not announced any travel restrictions. Public advice to prevent measles includes the following.

Build immunity
Parents should take their children to complete all recommended vaccinations. People who have had measles before often have long-lasting immunity for many decades. The measles vaccine is highly effective and is already part of Thailand’s routine immunisation schedule. If you’re fully vaccinated, there’s no need to panic.
Keep up good hygiene
Wear a mask in crowded places and wash your hands often. This helps reduce the risk of measles and other respiratory infections.
Monitor symptoms after travel
If you’ve recently returned from abroad or from an outbreak area, keep an eye on your health. If you develop a high fever, cough, red eyes, and a rash, see a doctor and share your travel history from any higher-risk area.
Isolate if infected
People with measles should stay away from others to reduce the spread, for at least 4 days after the rash appears. For more information, contact the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.