Thailand reports 8,578 RSV cases, with infants under 6 months most vulnerable

BANGKOK — 10 October 2026, Thailand has reported 8,578 cumulative cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from 1 January to 8 September 2026, including one death involving a two-month-old premature infant, according to the Department of Disease Control.

Most reported cases involved young children, while health officials warned that infants during their first six months of life are particularly vulnerable to severe illness. Doctors are advising pregnant women to consult their physicians about ways to help protect their babies against RSV before birth.

Dr. Weerawat Manosuthi, a senior medical expert and spokesperson for the Department of Disease Control, said RSV cases in Thailand had been high since August, particularly among young children. People aged 60 and older are another group at risk of infection.

RSV is a virus that infects the respiratory system. Early symptoms can resemble those of a common cold, including fever, coughing, sneezing and a runny nose. In young children, especially infants, the infection can progress to bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Severe cases may require hospitalisation.

Why the first six months matter

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sawitree Phranphanat, head of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Prince of Songkla University’s Faculty of Medicine, said babies under six months are especially vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing and their airways are small.

When infection causes inflammation and swelling in the airways, it can significantly affect an infant’s ability to breathe, she said.

One approach to protecting infants against RSV is to help them acquire immunity through their mothers during pregnancy. Vaccination during pregnancy stimulates the mother’s body to produce antibodies that can cross the placenta and help protect the baby during the vulnerable period after birth.

Sawitree also chairs the committee responsible for developing pregnancy vaccination guidelines for the Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The college emphasises that vaccine counselling should be part of antenatal care. Pregnant women should discuss the potential benefits and side effects, the appropriate timing and their individual medical histories with their doctors before making a decision together.

Meanwhile, RSV prevention still requires several measures, including regular handwashing, reducing exposure to the virus, avoiding close contact with people who are ill and monitoring children for unusual or worsening symptoms.