The raining season in Thailand always comes with groups of mosquitos, especially if you happen to live nearby a water source. Dengue fever is on the rise with 15 dead and currently 25,708 cases of the fever.
Isan (Northeast Thailand) is where most cases are at. Doctor Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoen from the Department of Disease Control (DDC).
The highest age range of dengue fever cases are ages between 15-24 years old, 10-14 years old come at second-most cases, and 25-34 years old at third most cases. Although found more in Isan, there are cases across the nation at the current moment.
Chaiyaphum province has the highest number of dengue fever followed by Rayong Province, Khon Kaen Province, Mae Hong Son Province, and Nakhon Ratchasima.
Dengue fever cases are expected to rise as the weather forecast from the Meteorological Department of Thailand predicts that many provinces in Thailand will continue to have heavy and continuous rain, resulting in more mosquitos, especially in areas near water.
The DDC warns those in Thailand to beware of mosquitoes and to take safety precautions that are necessary for the household.
There are 3 main ways to protect against dengue fever that includes
1. Clean your home to avoid water collection where mosquitoes can lay eggs,
2. To clean up areas around the home, especially plastic waste where water can be trapped, and
3. To store water in a closed unit. These 3 practices can help protect against more mosquitoes decreasing the risk of dengue fever, Zika Virus, Chikungunya Disease.
Dengue Fever is caused by the Dengue virus, a mosquito-borne tropical disease which is why Thailand usually has a rise of dengue fever every time the raining season arrives. The symptoms of the fever include fever, headache, nausea, muscle pain, joint pain, and a skin rash appearing all over the body including the back.
Onset is usually at 3-24 days after exposure to the mosquito with a dengue virus. In a small number of cases, the dengue fever develops into a severe hemorrhagic fever that results in bleeding, low blood platelets, and blood plasma leakage.
These bad cases can end up in dengue shock syndrome if blood pressure drops to a dangerous level.
