There are some infectious diseases that are so serious that they must be reported to the public health authorities as soon as they are diagnosed in any country. The alert can be used to monitor their potential for epidemic spread and take the necessary steps to contain them. In Thailand, as in most other countries, these dangerous communicable diseases must be reported to the local Public Health Authority within 24 hours of diagnosis. Failure to do so is a criminal offense with a potential punishment of up to seven years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than 20,000 baht. Those who fail to report an infectious disease risk the above penalties unless they can show that they took all reasonable precautions and measures before failing to report it.
Lab-confirmed infections and diseases requiring immediate reporting
It is regarded as a serious and hazardous sickness following the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2523. can easily come into contact, even if such interaction might be fatal. Therefore, it should be reported to the public health authority or other competent offices as a precaution. The following 23 infectious illnesses are currently required to be reported (as of February 3, 2016):
- Cholera
- The plague
- Smallpox
- Yellow Fever
- Meningococcal
- Diphtheria
- Neonatal tetanus
- Polio
- Flu
- Encephalitis
- Rabies
- Typhus
- Tuberculosis
- Anthrax
- Trichinosis
- yaws, only in the contagious period
- Acute flaccid paralysis in children
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- Aedes arthritis (announced on 4 June 2009)
- Dengue Fever (announced on 26 June 2009)
- Ebola Virus Infectious Disease (Notified on August 13, 2014)
- MERS Disease (MERS) (Notified on 17 June 2015)
- Zika virus infection
Diseases requiring delayed reporting
Delayed reporting applies to all other infectious diseases. If a serious communicable disease is suspected, but lab results are pending, the doctor, clinic, or hospital must complete a notification form and keep it in their records for at least six months. A copy of the form must be sent to the Public Health Authority: Avian influenza, Botulism, Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Japanese encephalitis, Leptospirosis, Measles, Mumps, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Plague, Psittacosis, Rabies, Rubella, Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Yellow fever.
Summary
There are some infectious diseases that are so dangerous that they must be reported to the public health authority immediately after diagnosis. The notification can help track their spread, monitor their epidemic potential, and take appropriate action to contain them. When faced with communicable diseases, decide to obtain health coverage with Rabbit Care’s health insurance. Financial assistance from Rabbit Cares will be available to expat health in Thailand with ease. Even if you have insurance or state health plan coverage, buying expat health insurance is a sensible move. When you get expat health insurance with Rabbit Cares, a person can learn in advance to set up the health plan which will meet your needs and financial circumstances.
