Bangkok officials warn of dengue fever
Dengue fever is on the rise in the Thailand capital and the spread of the mosquito borne viral disease may be serious this year, warns the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), according to a National News Bureau of Thailand report today.
Aedes mosquito Image/CDC
The BMA says dengue is rising in the city with over 2,000 cases reported already this year. Last year, a total of 10,081 cases were reported, with 6 fatalities in Bangkok.
In 2012, Thailand recorded nearly 75,000 cases of dengue fever were reported nationwide, resulting in 79 deaths.
Health officials are advising residents to remove mosquito “breeding grounds” by emptying water containers or by adding insecticides to the areas.
Dengue fever is a disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses (DENV 1, DENV 2, DENV 3, or DENV 4). The viruses are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito.
The principal symptoms of dengue fever are high fever that lasts from 2 to 7 days, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, and mild bleeding.
More serious and life threatening forms of dengue include dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHS) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).
There is no vaccine for prevention of dengue fever and no specific medication for treatment of a dengue infection.
Prevention of dengue fever includes methods of avoiding mosquito bites:
- Drain standing water around your house
- Use spray with DEET if you go outside
- Dress in cloths that cover most of your skin
- Try not to go out a lot during dusk and dawn
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