The Ministry of Health has issued Decree No. 1965, revising the classification of infectious diseases to enhance the effectiveness of the epidemic monitoring and control system. This policy represents a strategic step in standardizing disease names and groupings based on their hazard levels, transmission patterns, and public health impact.
Under the update, diseases are classified into three main categories. Group A comprises 15 highly dangerous diseases with risks of rapid spread and high mortality rates. Meanwhile, Group B now includes 47 types of diseases, including new or emerging diseases such as Japanese encephalitis, COVID-19, monkeypox (Mpox), and Zika virus infection. Group C consists of 19 diseases deemed to have lower risk levels.
The inclusion of Japanese encephalitis in Group B serves as a warning signal for the public. This disease, which attacks the central nervous system, has a fatality rate reaching 10-20 percent and poses a risk of long-term neurological sequelae. Given that the disease is transmitted by Culex mosquitoes thriving in high-rainfall environments, preventive measures are crucial.
Health experts emphasize the importance of vaccination as the frontline of protection for children. Field data shows cases of serious infections in children who missed their booster schedule. Therefore, parents are urged not only to administer the primary doses but also to ensure booster doses are given according to the established schedule.
In addition to maintaining immunization schedules, the public is asked to be more alert in detecting early symptoms such as high fever accompanied by headache, vomiting, seizures, or loss of consciousness. If these symptoms appear, parents are advised to immediately take the child to the nearest medical facility and avoid self-medication attempts that risk worsening the patient's condition.
