BANGKOK, Thailand – The Department of Disease Control has confirmed only four cases of liver fluke infection following an active screening campaign involving university students in Maha Sarakham province. Officials said reports claiming more than 4,000 infections were inaccurate and reflected preliminary screening results rather than laboratory-confirmed cases. Health authorities screened 2,200 students using the OV-ATK urine test, with 451 initially testing positive. Stool samples from 309 individuals were then examined using standard laboratory methods, confirming four liver fluke infections, along with five tapeworm infections, two threadworm infections, and one whipworm infection.
DDC’s Division of Epidemiology Director, Dr. Wichan Bhunyakitikorn, said treatment has been provided for those with confirmed infections, along with follow-up care and health guidance. He added that it is too early to determine whether the cases are linked to specific universities, restaurants, food items, or any other common source. The DDC said there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that a liver fluke outbreak has occurred at either of the two universities mentioned in media reports. The disease is not spread from person to person but is contracted by eating raw or undercooked freshwater fish contaminated with liver fluke larvae. Investigators have found no epidemiological links suggesting a common source of infection among the confirmed cases. (NNT)
