The Public Health Ministry has order all provinces to be on alert for the emergence of leptospirosis after it found 587 people were infected and 15 died from the disease.

Dr Prat Boonyawongvirot, the ministry's permanent secretary, says most infectious cases were found during the rainy season.

People with cuts or rashes on their legs who wade through floodwater are 15 times more at risk of contracting the disease.

He suggests people wear hip boots to prevent infection when they are paddling through water.