Phuket adopts One Health strategy to strengthen disease surveillance

Phuket officials have adopted a One Health strategy aimed at strengthening the province’s ability to detect, prevent and respond to communicable diseases and other health threats.

The initiative was discussed at a provincial meeting held at the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office on Tuesday, July 14, chaired by Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam. Attendees included Dr Direk Khamphaen, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, and representatives from the public health sector, livestock authorities, natural resources agencies, local administrative organisations and other partner organisations.

Officials said the integrated approach would support Phuket’s position as a safe international tourism destination. As one of Thailand’s leading tourist destinations, Phuket needs strong public health security to sustain tourism and economic development, they said.

The meeting noted that modern health threats, including emerging infectious diseases, diseases transmitted between animals and humans, and environmental hazards, require coordinated action across multiple sectors. Dr Direk said the One Health concept would allow agencies to share information and coordinate disease surveillance and response instead of working independently.

Linking data and operations among public health, livestock and environmental agencies would help authorities identify risks more quickly and respond more effectively to public health emergencies, he said.

The Department of Disease Control also reported progress in implementing the One Health policy during the 2026 fiscal year. Officials said 91.67% of One Health status assessments and collaborative disease-priority planning had been completed, while 83.33% of provincial working groups had been established.

The meeting also discussed developing shared databases, strengthening staff capacity and preparing integrated surveillance and disease-control plans. The measures are intended to improve local responses through earlier detection, faster intervention and more effective prevention.