• 
• 

Published on July 8, 2007

Dr Vichai Stimai, director of the Bureau of Vector-borne Disease, said the number of dengue-fever patients in the first half of the year had risen to 21,251 people, 36 per cent higher than the same period last year.

"The situation this year is more serious than last year because of the earlier arrival of the rainy season, which brought forward the hatching period of the dengue mosquito," he said.

Not only Thailand, said Vichai, but also neighbouring countries - Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia - have faced the same situation this year.

He urged the public to remove the breeding grounds of dengue-carrying mosquitoes by covering all water containers in households. Mosquito spray is also recommended.

He said the Public Health Ministry had ordered health officials to work with local authorities to prevent the further spread or any outbreak.

Dr Nattawut Prasertsiripong, chief of the Surat Thani provincial health office, said the disease had claimed two lives in the province. He recommended people who have fever for two to seven days, severe headache, muscle pains and pain behind the eyes to visit a doctor, as these are symptoms of dengue.

He warned those with the symptoms not to take Aspirin, but rather the painkiller paracetamol.