Thailand Issues Health Warning -- For Black Leggings

[webfact]

Thailand issues health warning -- for black leggings

BANGKOK (AFP) -- The Thai government has warned that a South Korean-inspired fashion craze for black leggings could be putting teenagers at risk of catching potentially deadly dengue fever.

"I'm worried about how people dress, especially teenagers," said Deputy Public Health Minister Phansiri Kulanartsiri, noting that the mosquitoes which transmit the disease are attracted by dark colours.

"The mosquitoes can bite through the leggings' thin fabric, so those who wear them are at greater risk of being infected with dengue."

"It's better to wear light colours and wear pants that can protect against mosquitoes, such as jeans," she said in a statement released Sunday.

Thailand has seen a spike in dengue cases, with 43 deaths and more than 45,000 infections in the first seven months of this year, according to the government. Many of the victims were young people.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-08-09

[NanLaew]

Yes! I knew it! It's a Korean conspiracy and nothing at all to do with having a lazy government public health sector.

Edited August 9, 2010 by NanLaew

[LaoPo]

Good idea!

Ban the black legging and have all the girls wear Jeans.

Dengue will fade away since mosquitoes only bite the leg-parts of girls....

do they ?

LaoPo

[siampolee]

Is it not about time some of if not all of these inept officials had a reality test ?

No doubt it's yet another pronouncement by a female official who is long past her, ''best before date.''

Echar perhaps of modern youth ?

[animatic]

And she has figures to show that these extra Dengue bites were happening to people in Black Leggings?

Or is she just putting 2 and 14 together, and coming up with 43

with out a single though to more than her bright idea?

It's a medical epiphany.

[Throatwobbler]

You do have to admit though that Mosquitoes are attracted to black. I get a lot more bites when I'm at work in My black trousers and socks then I do at home.

[Jimi007]

You do have to admit though that Mosquitoes are attracted to black. I get a lot more bites when I'm at work in My black trousers and socks then I do at home.

I agree. Plus it's much harder to see the Andes Mosquito on black clothes as it is black and small. They usually can't bite through denim jeans as it a heavier material. I really don't wish dengue, chikungunya, malaria, or yellow fever on anyone. But some posters here who haven't had one of these diseases which are all spread by the same type of mosquito, might sing a bit different tune if they've ever had one of these diseases!

[LaoPo]

You do have to admit though that Mosquitoes are attracted to black. I get a lot more bites when I'm at work in My black trousers and socks then I do at home.

I agree. Plus it's much harder to see the Andes Mosquito on black clothes as it is black and small. They usually can't bite through denim jeans as it a heavier material. I really don't wish dengue, chikungunya, malaria, or yellow fever on anyone. But some posters here who haven't had one of these diseases which are all spread by the same type of mosquito, might sing a bit different tune if they've ever had one of these diseases!

I second both opinions and wearing jeans might help a little instead of black leggings but that it would help a LOT is dreaming since those mosquitoes will bite on bare ankles and feet (slippers) of those girls also.

I'm hope not to sing another song since I haven't been suffering from one of those diseases and I hope I never will although (Thai) mosquitoes have a special appetite for me; that's why I'm always using DEET lotion/roller/spray as much as possible next to coils and other stuff.

LaoPo

[Jimi007]

You do have to admit though that Mosquitoes are attracted to black. I get a lot more bites when I'm at work in My black trousers and socks then I do at home.

I agree. Plus it's much harder to see the Andes Mosquito on black clothes as it is black and small. They usually can't bite through denim jeans as it a heavier material. I really don't wish dengue, chikungunya, malaria, or yellow fever on anyone. But some posters here who haven't had one of these diseases which are all spread by the same type of mosquito, might sing a bit different tune if they've ever had one of these diseases!

I second both opinions and wearing jeans might help a little instead of black leggings but that it would help a LOT is dreaming since those mosquitoes will bite on bare ankles and feet (slippers) of those girls also.

I'm hope not to sing another song since I haven't been suffering from one of those diseases and I hope I never will although (Thai) mosquitoes have a special appetite for me; that's why I'm always using DEET lotion/roller/spray as much as possible next to coils and other stuff.

LaoPo

I use the highest percentage DEET spray and lotion I can find here and I still get some bites. I've had chikungunya for over a year now. Extreme joint pain, it's very similar to dengue. Although there are four different strains of dengue, there is only one chikungunya virus, that I know of. I use coils, fish in my ponds, chemicals in any other standing water. All it takes is one bite from the wrong mosquito and your life can turn to intense pain and misery. It is only one species that spreads these diseases, the Andes Mosquito. I have posted pictures of it before. They are small and a day time bitter. Hope you have better luck than I did...

[waza]

You could also try taking vitamine B, such as barocca. Mossies dont like the taste

[Thaddeus]

You could also try taking vitamine B, such as barocca. Mossies dont like the taste

Waiting for that one, and any comments about vegamite, which are all a complete pile of tosh...... mossies don't care, you are full of blood, and if you are the only thing around they will bite you.

I'm safe, I've got a real LV handbag that's been rubbed against a neem tree and I chant 'doo doo doo do tur tam' when I'm out walking, they hate that.

[moe666]

No black leggings for this old fat bald guy.

[mazeltov]

Is it not about time some of if not all of these inept officials had a reality test ?

No doubt it's yet another pronouncement by a female official who is long past her, ''best before date.''

Echar perhaps of modern youth ?

a female official who is long past her, ''best before date.'' - such comment can only come from a male brain that never developed past the early stages of adolescence.

[Payboy]

They should rather be concerned about what disease they catch when those leggings are off.

[RedNIvar]

Noooo........What about black lingerie???

TIT

I think they should focus more on ensuring that the right education on mosquito breading is conveyed to the public, so that they are more aware and will take necessary action to stop the breading of these mosquito's. Not give them fashion advice.

BTW, I had a black boxer on. After reading this article, I have now gone commando to avoid dengue.

[Thai at Heart]

Better get all those uni students to change their skirts.

God forbid they get bitten on the inner thigh or somewhere else?????

Edited August 10, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[canuckamuck]

It will be fascinating to see which herd instinct wins out.

The one which compels towards being fashionable; or the one of blind faith in what the poo yai says with no questions asked.

[hyperdimension]

I think bare skin looks better anyway, so I support a crackdown on black leggings. Take them off!

[Zolt]

In my experience, Thai mosquitoes can bite through pretty much anything, including chain mail and ballistic armor. So we might as well go naked. And swat the little bastards with extreme prejudice.

My best culture shock moment ever in Thailand was discovering the electric fly swatter. From the first time I got hold of one, the war was on.

[teddy_bare]

The black legging craze is because of the contrast of the black against the milky white skin, it thus increases the illussion of whiteness. The connection between black and increased mossie bites is probably correct. Thailand has spent a great deal of money investigating the spread of tropical diseases. Some, farang beleive they get bitten more, maybe they do, as mossies are attracted to smelly cheeses. Hence why the mossies chew on your feet more than say your arms, head or neck which are probably as exposed. Wet flipflops give your feet a very yummy smell for mossie, so try washing your feet more often, and any other places that get cheesy (and bitten). Now there's another story.

I hear more and more apparently daft thai suggestions and remedies, that often are true, just my initial UK mind can't grasp how a Thai could possible be right and me wrong. It's a bit like old wives tales. Sciencists are now actually finding some chemicals/antigenes/bactereias in the remedies that do have some affect on the human condition.

[SantiSuk]

I have also found that it's a whole lot easier to bite through the black leggings on Korean girls than through their denim jeans