Phuket Officials Squelch Dengue Fever Rumors

[webfact]

Phuket officials squelch Dengue fever rumors
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Residents must do their part in controlling dengue fever by not allowing water to stand in containers around their homes, officials have told the Phuket Gazette as rumors started to grow last week of an outbreak in Karon.

In response to a complaint from a reader living on Patak Road Soi 24 in Karon that at least nine people in his area have dengue fever, the Gazette contacted Phuket Public Health Office Deputy Director Wiwat Seetamanotch and Karon Municipality Deputy Mayor Itthiporn Sangkaew.

“Dengue fever in Phuket is under control; there is nothing to be overly worried about,” said Dr Wiwat.

Mr Itthiporn encouraged those in the area to contact his office if they were concerned about a possible outbreak, so he could send staff to check for mosquitoes and spray if necessary.

However, both officials said that the first line of defense is preventing standing water (story here).

“Taking steps to prevent mosquitoes from breeding near your house is more important than waiting for public officials to spray mosquitoes once they’ve hatched,” Dr Wiwat said.

“Each family must take care to prevent containers from collecting water, as these provide a place for mosquitoes to breed,” he said.

“If you must leave water in containers, for example, in plants, you can add Temefos to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Temefos (brand name Abate) is an organophosphate larvicide used to treat water infested with disease-carrying insects, including mosquitoes, midges and black fly larvae,” Mr Itthiporn said, adding that Karon residents can get Temefos from municipal officers.

Mr Itthiporn pointed out that mosquito-spraying is not the cure to mosquito problems. “If we spray too often, mosquitoes will develop a resistance to the chemical,” he said.

However, he notes that when his staff does spray the Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) anti-mosquito spray, it is important for residents to leave their homes open so the chemical can get inside.

“I know that the chemical might bother people, but it has to be done this way,” he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-officials-squelch-Dengue-fever-rumors-20319.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-02-25

[FireMedic]

Just like there are no monkeys on Bangla!

[Felt 35]

Best squelch rumors team in Asia

[Payboy]

“Dengue fever in Phuket is under control; there is nothing to be overly worried about,” said Dr Wiwat.

Just when I was about ready to stop worrying, he's gone ahead and said that.

[Jimi007]

This is not the first time this type of news has been "squelched." There have been outbreaks of Dengue and Chikungunya before in Phuket, there will be again. But the "government" wouldn't want people to be warned by the news media as it may "damage tourism." I suppose the hospitals have to be full of patients before any official warning would go out...

[chiang mai]

The denials confirms the rumour, cool.

[Jimi007]

The denials confirms the rumour, cool.

Of course Phuket officials would deny it. But then this news came out today:

Dengue fever situation expected to worsen this year

BANGKOK, 26 February 2013 (NNT) - The Department of Disease Control is worried about the dengue fever situation this year after over 5,000 people have been ill from the disease, increasing from last year by five times. Without prevention, the department fears that the number of patients would reach 100,000.

Director-General of the Department of Disease Control MD Pornthep Siriwanarangsan said from 1 January 2013 until now, there had been around 5,700 dengue fever patients with four fatalities.

The rising number of patients before the disease’s spreading period in the rainy season is a sign that this year’s dengue fever situation might be severe, with a projected number of patients of 100,000.

The department therefore joins forces with public health offices nationwide to prevent a dengue fever outbreak before the rainy season by encouraging communities to destroy mosquito larvae and breeding grounds.

The Ministry of Public Health has already set up a dengue fever war room to impose preventive measures and follow up on dengue fever prevention efforts in each area on a weekly basis.

-- NNT 2013-02-26

Edited February 26, 2013 by Jimi007

[lavender19]

I have had dengue fever and would not wish it upon anyone,apart from the two members of the Karon Municipality who are covering their a-ses.

[Jimi007]

I have had dengue fever and would not wish it upon anyone,apart from the two members of the Karon Municipality who are covering their a-ses.

Unfortunately there are three strains of Dengue. Then there is Chikungungya, which wiped me out for two and a half years. Having one form of Dengue will not preclude you from the others and one strain can be deadly. I suppose the Thais in the local "Government" think they are immune. I totally have to agree with your comment. I hope they get it too!

[lavender19]

I have had dengue fever and would not wish it upon anyone,apart from the two members of the Karon Municipality who are covering their a-ses.

Unfortunately there are three strains of Dengue. Then there is Chikungungya, which wiped me out for two and a half years. Having one form of Dengue will not preclude you from the others and one strain can be deadly. I suppose the Thais in the local "Government" think they are immune. I totally have to agree with your comment. I hope they get it too!

As I understand it , I am now immune to the strain I contacted but if I contact one of the others it may increases the risk of severe complications such as dengue haemorrhagic fever.Really looking forward to that one.Not

[Jimi007]

I have had dengue fever and would not wish it upon anyone,apart from the two members of the Karon Municipality who are covering their a-ses.

Unfortunately there are three strains of Dengue. Then there is Chikungungya, which wiped me out for two and a half years. Having one form of Dengue will not preclude you from the others and one strain can be deadly. I suppose the Thais in the local "Government" think they are immune. I totally have to agree with your comment. I hope they get it too!

As I understand it , I am now immune to the strain I contacted but if I contact one of the others it may increases the risk of severe complications such as dengue haemorrhagic fever.Really looking forward to that one.Not

I am pretty sure you are correct. That's what I have read as well. My Chickungunya was so painful I was put on morphine. But as they are both viruses they remain with you. I still get joint and tendon pain from time to time from it. The last thing I would need is a bout with Dengue!

[eezergood]

I contracted Dengue & my friend had it 2 times last year!

[FWIW]

I have had dengue fever and would not wish it upon anyone,apart from the two members of the Karon Municipality who are covering their a-ses.

Unfortunately there are three strains of Dengue.

Four, not three.