Team of Researchers from Chulabhorn Research Institute Presents Proposals to Improve the Department of Health’s Notification on the Act to Control Legionella in Cooling Towers

On Thursday, April 10, 2025, a team of researchers from the Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, consisting of Dr. Kwanrawee Sirikanchana and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rojana Sukchawalit, Research Scientists II, Miss Thitima Srathongneam and Miss Benya Nontaleerak, Research Scientists, as well as Mr. Phongsawat Paisantham, Assistant Researcher, attended a hearing on proposals to improve the Notification of the Department of Health on the Act to Control Legionella in Cooling Towers in Buildings in Thailand B.E. 2544 (2001), organized by the Bureau of Environmental Health, Department of Health. The event was held from 1.30-4.30 p.m. at the Chid Chaiyawong Meeting Room, Building 5, 5^th Floor, Department of Health.

During the hearing, the CRI research team presented a set of proposals aimed at improving the Notification based on studies, reviews, and analyses of academic information, as well as recommended a guideline for the management of environmental health to control Legionella in buildings so that the Notification is up-to-date and appropriate for current situations and technology. These proposals presented in the hearing also supported the drafted suggestions of the Public Health Committee on the guideline for the management of environmental health to prevent and control Legionella in various business establishments.

In support of these efforts, the CRI has prepared a manual on the management of environmental health to control Legionella in buildings as a practical guideline for relevant personnel, in both public and private sectors.

The meeting was attended by over 30 representatives from relevant public agencies such as Department of Disease Control, National Institute of Health of Thailand, and agencies under the Department of Health, such as Health Impact Assessment Division, Public Health Laboratory Division, and Bureau of Environmental Health.  This forum designed for exchange of opinions reflected the cooperation between researchers and public agencies for the improvement of measures to control Legionella outbreaks in response to the rising trend of epidemics and serve as a major guideline to protect people’s health and build long-term confidence in the country’s public health and tourism sectors.