And now, your weekly dose of hypochondria:
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is reporting that the spread of dengue fever will be even more prevalent this year, with infections expected to surpass last year’s high water mark of 74,250.
In a statement to MCOT, Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong said that the disease, instances of which are typically confined to Thailand’s rainy season, has started showing up during the dry season as well.
Transmitted by mosquitoes, dengue fever enjoys a spot right up there next to malaria in the “dangerous tropical diseases” hall of fame.
Most of last year’s infections came from the central region of the country, with Bangkok leading the charge with 9,569 cases.
Though the disease is rarely fatal (it caused only 79 deaths last year), the Public Health Ministry is nonetheless invoking village leaders to instruct their citizens in its prevention.
At this point we will humbly stand aside and leave it to you, dear reader, to consider which is more horrifying: the specter of a mosquito-borne, tropical super-flu or the lingering threat of acquiring cancer from rampant overuse of deet.
