The dengue virus, up close and personal
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health had joined nine other ASEAN members in celebrating ASEAN Dengue Day 2013, which aims to raise awareness among locals about the dangerous disease.
Statistics show that there are currently more than 100,000 patients suffering from the disease in the region. In Thailand, the disease has already claimed 50 lives this year.
Deputy Public Health Minister, Dr. Chonlanan Srikaew stated during the opening ceremony of the event that the fair is part of the nation’s preparations for the arrival of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. He also affirmed Thailand’s participation in the upcoming international summit on Dengue Fever in Vietnam.
The event is organized simultaneously with nine other ASEAN member countries under the theme “ASEAN Unity for Dengue-free Community.”
According to the recent survey, there are 123,206 dengue patients in six ASEAN member countries, with the Philippines holding the highest numbers of patients followed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Lao PDR, and Cambodia.
In Thailand, however, the number of patients has tripled that of last year, with approximately 40,000 cases reported. 50 have already died this year.
The ministry warned that the number of patients is likely to double or even triple during the months of June to July, the rainy season, due to the increase of mosquito breeding ground.
Locals are encouraged to immediately see a doctor if they contract persistent fever of more than 3 days, with temperatures of higher than 48 Celsius.
National News Bureau of Thailand
