BANGKOK, 12 May 2012 – The Public Health Ministry is set to rid the country of as many mosquito-breeding grounds as possible before the new school term begins.
Dr. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, said that all provincial health offices have been instructed to work with the local administrative organization offices in destroying larval habitats and to launch a more intensified campaign to kill mosquitoes.
He said that the move followed reports on the outbreak of dengue fever in Ranong Province, where one was killed and 83 others were infected with the virus during the first 4 months of this year.
Dr. Suwannachai stated that, even though the latest outbreak has not been as severe as what Thailand saw 2 years ago, the Health Ministry will remain extra-vigilant about the situation, especially with the arrival of the rainy season approaching.
He said that all health offices, particularly in the South and border provinces, have been instructed to step up their measures before the new school term begins later this month.
The Disease Control Department’s deputy director general went on to say that the Public Health Ministry is planning to launch a major campaign to mark the annual ASEAN Dengue Day on June 15th.
Meanwhile, official data stated that during January 1st and May 1st, there have been 7,815 dengue patients, with 9 killed by the virus, across the country.
