Health Minister On High Alert For Dengue Fever

[george]

Health Minister on high alert for dengue fever

SONGKHLA: -- Thailand's health ministry is on a high alert for the start of the dengue fever season next month. It has stepped up its surveillance for the disease throughout the country.

In southern Thailand an average of more than sixteen percent of the population reportedly suffering from dengue fever, according to the director of the local disease prevention office Dr. Boonchai Poomborplab.

The highest incidence of the disease is in Songkhla where there are 181 dengue fever patients followed by Trang with164 cases and Pattalung 103 cases.

But, as a percentage of the population, Satun, Trang and Pattalung have the highest incidence of dengue fever.

However, there have been no reported deaths from the disease in any of the southern provinces so far after a 13 year-old boy in Bangkok died of dengue shock syndrome last month.

Although, the figure of dengue patients is still relatively low, the health ministry plans to keep a close eye on the disease, particularly in the provinces where the highest numbers of patients have been recorded.

The three southern-most provinces will also be kept under strict surveillance despite the low rates of dengue cases. But it is still possible that there will be a widespread outbreak in August and September, Dr. Boonchai said.

Provincial health offices have already fully established preventive and disease control measures, he added.

--TNA 2005-05-06