BANGKOK, 22 April 2013 The Public Health Ministry is getting worried about a possible dengue fever epidemic during this year’s rainy season.
Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong said that, since the beginning of the year, there have been more than 20,000 dengue patients, 24 of them killed by the virus.
Mr. Pradit noted that the spread of the virus still continues in the northeast and the south while admitting that the number of patients across the country could soar to at least 100,000 and 100-120 might die because of dengue fever before the end of the year unless effective measures to eradicate mosquito-breeding sites are timely implemented.
He added that a more active PR campaign must be launched before the rainy season starts in May in order to help destroy all mosquito-breeding habitats around houses and such public areas as schools.
The Public Health Minister went on to say that nationwide health offices have been instructed to launch an awareness campaign to warn the public of the danger of dengue fever while organizing the Big Cleaning Day during April 21-27 and May 10-17 to get rid of larvae, both at schools and residential areas.
