Chikungunya Cases In Phuket: 349

[george]

Chikungunya cases in Phuket: 349

PHUKET CITY: -- Cases of chikungunya continue to rise in the province, with 349 confirmed cases in Phuket – and the actual figure is probably far higher.

The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) yesterday confirmed that 331 Thais are receiving hospital treatment for the disease, along with 18 Burmese immigrants.

Two foreign tourists – one from Korea and one Scotsman – have already recovered from the disease, the PPHO has reported.

Based on these figures, the PPHO expect the actual number of cases to be more than 3,000, as most sufferers do not seek hospital treatment, but rather go to clinics or treat themselves.

Thalang District is the highest risk area, with tambon Srisonthorn having the most cases, followed by tambons Cherng Talay, Thepkrasattri, Pa Khlok and Sakoo.

The first confirmed case in Phuket came in March and the disease has now spread across the island.

The disease is spread by the striped Aedes mosquito that feeds in the daytime.

Unlike the more dreaded dengue fever, which comes in four different strains and is more often fatal, those who have been infected with the chikungunya virus once enjoy lifetime immunity thereafter.

The PPHO has set up special units to monitor flu cases in all hospitals on the island, both public and private.. Workers are also on the lookout for cases of influenza caused by the type A(H1N1) virus, which causes swine flu.

-- Phuket Gazette 2009-05-29

[NBT TV Phuket]

VDO: Phuket carries out aggressive campaign against the wide spread Chikungunya virus.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...hp?news_id=1136

or

Like many areas, Paklok’s local government led health volunteers, community leaders and students to educate residents about the Chikungunya virus and how to protect themselves. They distributed pamphlets, mosquito repellent, sprayed at canal and ditch water sources to eradicate mosquito eggs. At least 30 people from Paklok village are being treated for the virus. This is due to its fertility in forest trees. The provincial Chief Doctor Pongsawas Rattanasang reported that since January 1st until May 21st, 225 people in Phuket have been reported and hospitalized for the virus but he believed some more sought treatment from clinics. The cases are found mostly in Srisunthorn, followed by Thepkasarti and Cherng Thalay village. Meanwhile the provincial Public Health Office held a seminar with related agencies and networks to discuss measures and collaboration to handle diseases and communicable diseases. The provincial Deputy Chief Doctor Wiwat Sritamanoj concluding the seminar result said health teams will be set up in 3 districts to map out proactive measures and deploy personnel in to communities in case of epidemics. They will also take paramedics in when notified of cases.

------

VDO: Phuket continues aggressive education campaign against the H1N1 flu and the Chikungunya virus.

at item--4-on http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...hp?news_id=1138

or

Health volunteers joined hands to clean toilet areas and surroundings of the Phuket Bus Terminal and gave out sanitary masks, gel and alcohol for hand cleaning to passengers at the bus terminal in Phuket city. This was part of an aggressive campaign carried out by the Provincial Public Health Office to educate member of the public and prevent them from contacting any disease, especially the H1N1 flu plus the widespread Chikungunya disease. They also demonstrated how to wash hands properly and distributed pamphlets about the disease. Information about Chikungunya virus and how to protect one self from it was also given out. This was a joint effort by the Public Health and Land Transport office.

-------

Andaman News NBT TV (VHF dial) at 8.30am & perhaps repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 3.30pm, 7pm & 1am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces & Mazz Radio FM108 at 7pm in Phuket, most weekdays & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ & www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews

[Valentine]

It is quite astonishing to learn that people have to be taught how to wash their hands properly although there must be many public toilets that do not have soap which does not help.

I thought I read somewhere that there are 30,000 confirmed cases of chikungunya in the south so I assume we can expect to see quite a rise in the number of cases here.

I have not seen any written reports but heard on BBC radio news that Cambodia has managed to allow (through incorrect treatments or self treatments) the rise of a malaria strain which is resistant to the latest malaria medications. The previous drug resistant malaria strain also came from this part of the world. International health authorities, rightly so, were urging strict controls to prevent this from spreading but I seriously doubt this will work considering the greedy & exploitive use of illegal labour in this country.

[LeungKen]

This is looking like it might become a big problem and I'm wondering how many people actually are aware of this mosquito borne virus that is becoming so prevalent in the southern states.

What can we can do to help raise awareness ?

[LeungKen]

George,

Perhaps you might like to close this thread as you have posted a new updated version.

Regards

Ken

[ubonjoe]

New topic here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/694-Confirme...-P-t272109.html

This topic