Residents on alert after five die of dengue fever

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Residents have been put on alert for dengue fever which has claimed five lives recently in the province, said a senior health official.

Dr Samrueng Yangkratok said the public is being urged to protect themselves against the infection and to see a doctor if they are suffering from high fever, vomiting or bloody stools.

About 1,300 people have fallen ill from the disease, most of them children aged 10-14, he said.

The hardest hit district is Sikhiu, followed by Chakkarat and Chok Chai.

Dr Samrueng said health authorities are also working closely with livestock officials to watch out for a possible outbreak of avian influenza.

--The Post 2004-09-16

Yes fine, but what are the local officials doing to combat the problem.

What advice have they offered to local residents, apart from seeing a doctor?

Have they asked people to overturn containers so that they do not collect standing water? An ideal breeding place for mozzies.

Do they have DDT fogging campaigns?

Both these measures work well in the neighbouring countries of Malaysia and Singapore to reduce the numbers of mosquitos causing Dengue and Malaria.