Foreigner Illness and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Thailand 1997 - 2006 - สถานการณ์ผู้ป่วยและโรคติดต่ออุบัติซ้ำ ชาวต่างชาติในประเทศไทย ทศวรรษ 2540

Abstract

                       Bureau of Epidemiology has started disease surveillance in foreigners since August 1, 1996. The 10 year (1997 - 2006) surveillance review showed the highest report of 31,207 cases of foreigner in the year 2006, a 20.86 percent increase from 1997. The fluctuation of the cases corresponded with total migrant workers instead of regular migrants. The proportion of foreigner cases to total cases (Thais and foreigners) increased from 1.21 percent in 1997 to 1.37 percent in 2006. The increase was observed along all borders except Thai-Cambodia border provinces. Thai-Myanmar border provinces had the highest cases through the 10 years, mostly were Burmese showing an increasing trend in contrast to those of Laotian, Cambodian and Malaysian.  While the regular and irregular migrants workers increased, cross border foreigners seeking medical treatment and touriss decreased about one-half in the 10 years.

                               Malaria incidence in foreigners were more than ten times of incidence in Thai populations each year yet the trend decreased both in foreigners and Thais. The highest cases were reported from Thai-Myanmar border provinces. Tuberculosis incidence in foreigners was slightly lower than that in Thai populations yet showing decreasing trend year by year in contrast to an increasing trend in Thai populations. There were 150 filariasis cases in foreigners and 8 cases in Thais reported in 10 years. The foreigner incidence was much higher than in Thai populations each year, yet showing a decreasing trend in the last four years. There were 89 Meningococcal meningitis cases in foreigners reported in 10 years and the annual incidences were always higher than those in Thai populations. As migrant workers increased the risk of communicable diseases, health service access and effective surveillance should be strengthened with more sensitivity on network co-operation and data sharing especially provinces with high economic growth.

Key words:      re-emerging infectious diseases, foreigner, migrant workers