BANGKOK, 19 February 2014 The Ministry of Public Health is giving a nationwide warning against a possible outbreak of dengue fever, especially during the ‘between-seasons’ period when mosquitoes are mostly found.
According to Dr. Narong Sahametapat, Permanent Secretary for Public Health, Thailand is slowly entering the period of summer as the mercury is rising higher and higher, in which the condition is conducive to the reproduction of mosquitoes, dengue virus carriers.
Dr. Narong has therefore ordered all health related agencies across the country to step up preventive measures and raise public awareness of the disease.
He urged all individuals and government personnel to help eliminate mosquito breeding sites in such areas as schools, houses, factories, and hospitals.
The permanent secretary also revealed that despite strict measures, new cases of dengue infections are continuously found, but predicted that the number of infections this year would not be as high as that of last year. The figure stood at nearly 153,000 cases in 2013, of whom 132 died. The 2013 infections also mark the highest rate in 20 years.
