Health: Dengue outbreaks in central provinces of Thailand kill four in early 2008. Avoid

exposure to mosquitoes.

Current Situation

Thai health authorities reported that more than 2,800 people fell ill with dengue in the first six

weeks of 2008 and four died. Approximately 70 percent of dengue infections have occurred in

central provinces. This year's figures are nearly 70 percent higher than those for the same period

of 2007, when approximately 40,000 people fell ill with dengue fever in the first nine months of the

year.

Background

The main dengue season in Thailand is concurrent with the rainy season - May through

November. Cases traditionally peak in July. Thailand has one of the highest rates of dengue fever

in the world. In 2002 - a record year for the disease in Thailand - there were 114,800 cases and

176 deaths.

Dengue fever is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Infection produces a

spectrum of clinical illness, ranging from a flu-like viral illness to severe and fatal hemorrhagic

disease. Symptoms usually last about seven days and include: sudden onset of high fever,

severe headache, joint and muscle pain, rash, nausea and vomiting. Dengue hemorrhagic fever

(DHF), a severe form of the disease, occurs in people who have previously been infected with a

different strain of dengue.

Advice

Avoid this disease by staying inside screened or air-conditioned areas whenever possible and

using strict personal protection measures to avoid mosquito bites.

There is no immunization for this disease.

Seek the advice of a physician if a fever develops within two weeks of leaving Thailand.

Do not use aspirin products if you think you may have dengue, as they can exacerbate the bleeding

tendencies associated with this disease.

Related Advice: Information on dengue fever http:// wcdirect1.ijet.com/direct/DisplayIoContent.public?ioId=16550

Related Advice: Measure recommended to avoid diseases carried by insects. http: //wcdirect1.ijet.com/direct/DisplayIoContent.public?ioId=16553

yep......ive had it and it aint no laughin matter,but didnt last 7 days(initial syptoms maybe).......was bed ridden for about a month,could just about make it to the sofa.went to the doc in thailand and was told it was flu....wrong.was told at the time that only in the sticks was it possible to be infected...wrong....i got it in pattaya.hope i never get that again in my life.......at the time you think you are never gonna get better as recovery is so slow and nothing you can do to help yourself.