UBON RATCHATHANI, June 17 – The number of dengue fever patients in Thailand’s lower northeastern provinces is four times higher in the first five months of this year compared to last year.
From January 1- May 31, the number of patients was recorded at 3,544 cases, four times last year’s figure, with nine deaths being reported, said Dr Sarayuth Uttamangkapong, director of the local disease control office in Ubon Ratchathani.
Si Sa Ket reported the most patients with 1,086. Local authorities have taken stringent measures to rid residential areas of mosquitoes.
Meanwhile, in the capital, the department of the disease control worked with the Yaemsa-ard Rangsit School in launching a campaign against dengue fever, as Thailand’s dengue patient tally is the second highest in ASEAN countries, Singapore being first.
The patient numbers in the country tripled last year’s figure. It could reach 150,000 cases this year and the fatalities could rise to 100-150. So far, the deaths from dengue fever were recorded at about 50, according to the department.
