BANGKOK, 2 June 2013 The Public Health Ministry has expressed its concerns over the dengue fever situation in Thailand as 40 patients have died of the disease this year.
Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Narong Sahametapat said the ministry would keep a close eye on dengue cases, given over 35, 000 people came down with the disease during January 1st to May 29th, 40 of whom died. On an average 2,000 people contact the deadly disease a week, which is very high. He has, therefore, urged all related agencies to step up prevention measures and monitor the situation especially in factory and school areas during the next 90 days, the peak period for dengue fever.
The permanent secretary further revealed that experts had predicted that Thailand would this year see over 100,000 dengue cases, with more than 100 deaths; a 3-fold increase from last year and the highest record of all time.
He has, therefore, urged those who catch the fever to see a doctor immediately as most of those who died did not see a doctor in time.
