Thousands of Bhutanese sought medical care last year for coughs, breathing problems and diarrhoeal illnesses. According to the Annual Health Bulletin 2026, more than 114,000 notifiable disease cases were recorded, with acute respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases accounting for more than 93 per cent of the total.
Out of more than 114,000 notifiable diseases reported last year, Acute Respiratory Infections, ARI, accounted for 90,000 cases while Acute Watery Diarrhoea followed with more than 16,000 cases.
Studies in Bhutan have identified different germs that can cause diarrhoeal illnesses. These include bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, as well as viruses such as Rotavirus and Norovirus. These germs can spread through contaminated food and water, highlighting the importance of safe drinking water, food hygiene and sanitation.
According to the health ministry, more than 6,000 diarrhoeal disease cases were recorded among children below ten last year.
WHO identifies safe drinking water, sanitation, hand hygiene, food safety and vaccination as important measures for preventing diarrhoeal disease.
Bhutan has made progress in these areas. More than 95 per cent of households have access to basic drinking water, and nearly 93 per cent have basic sanitation.
But gaps remain. In Gasa, for example, 7.1 per cent of households still practise open defecation, according to the report.
For acute respiratory infections, people aged 25 to 49 accounted for the highest number of reported cases, at around 25,000.
Research has found respiratory viruses such as RSV and influenza among patients with severe respiratory infections.
Respiratory infections can also spread more easily in crowded settings, while seasonal changes may influence when some infections increase. Researchers have found that common cold cases vary by season and are more common among children below 15.
On the other hand, no cases were recorded for several severe vaccine-preventable illnesses last year such as diphtheria and tetanus.
Deki Lhazom
Edited by Sangay Chezom
