Dengue fever: Fears of epidemic as four times as many cases reported in Thailand

Hospitals nationwide have been ordered to set up emergency facilities to deal with a worrying rise in cases of dengue fever since the start of the year. 

In January there were four times as many cases of the disease as in the same month last year. 

The disease can be fatal in some cases. 

On Wednesday the Thai Public Health Ministry held a crisis meeting with health care professionals nationwide to discuss what to do amid fears that dengue figures could match the worst year in recent times, 2013, when there were 150,000 cases.

Hardest hit this year according to a story on Workpoint News are provinces in the lower part of the north east principally Nakorn Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Surin and Sisaket. 

Measures to prevent the spread of the disease were discussed as well as crisis management for hospitals facing a rise in cases. Emergency centers are to be set up in all provinces and people are being urged to clear standing water where the mosquitoes breed. 

From January 1st to March 5th this year there were 9,044 cases with seven deaths. 

In January alone there were 5,555 cases which was four times the 2018 figure for the same month of 1,279.

Thai Visa / Workpoint News

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