Thailand is experiencing the largest dengue outbreak in 20 years
Thailand is experiencing one of the largest dengue outbreaks in the past 20 years. To date, 136.000 patients have been diagnosed with dengue, and that number is expected to rise to 200.000. The disease has claimed 126 lives.
Dengue or dengue fever is a viral disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. The disease occurs in urbanized areas in many tropical countries. Dengue usually progresses harmlessly with a fever, rash and headache. In rare cases, the disease is serious.
According to Sophon Mekthon, deputy director general at the Thai Ministry of Health, there are many infections, but the number of fatal cases is not alarming compared to previous years: "This shows that our medical response is improving."
Bangkok and Chiang Mai
Most reports of dengue come from and around the capital Bangkok and in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The increase in the number of dengue infections has been attributed to this year's humid and warm weather. Dengue is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito with one of four types of dengue virus. The typical symptoms range from a mild to high fever with severe headache, muscle aches and skin rash. There is currently no vaccine or specific drug treatment for the virus. Treatments are mainly aimed at relieving the symptoms.
The Ministry of Health is trying to contain the outbreak by gassing mosquitoes and breeding grounds. In addition, there are public information campaigns. “It is a misconception that dengue is a jungle disease. It is especially common in densely populated areas. Thailand's rapid urbanization and change in weather patterns have contributed to the alarming spike," Sophon said.
The most serious dengue epidemic in Thailand took place in 1987, when there were 174.000 infections and 1.007 deaths.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned last month that dengue cases worldwide have surged in recent decades, resulting in a number of “explosive outbreaks” in several regions. About half of the world's population is at risk of contracting the disease, particularly in developing countries, but parts of southern Europe and the southern part of the United States are also at risk.
In Asia, severe cases of dengue have become a leading cause of death among children.
Measures against dengue
The mosquitoes that transmit dengue bite during the day. Also protect yourself against mosquito bites during the day. Apply mosquito repellent throughout the day. Use a mosquito net during the afternoon rest. There is no vaccination against dengue yet. There is also no targeted treatment.
Source: Reuters
Let it be a warning!
I myself walk as much as possible with long pants and a shirt with long sleeves.
I don't do that much with Deet anymore, I've been stung by a mosquito even though I had rubbed myself in. It is better to wear protective clothing.
I'm going to Thailand on December 17 for 3,5 weeks and will visit Bangkok and Chiang Mai. How can I best prepare for this as a backpacker in the Netherlands?
As stated in the article. Mosquito net, deet and long pants and long sleeve t-shirt. According to Thai, burning a candle and incense at the temple also helps…
Ha ha khun Peter, the latter will probably be proclaimed by the monks, so as to leave some baths behind when you visit the temple.
I myself had dengue 5 years ago. I got a high fever but didn't feel sick and that's the insidious thing about that disease. People think, oh it will pass, but it goes from bad to worse. The local doctor here dismissed it as a seasonal disease (like with us the rising and falling of the leaves). At the end of the same week I had to be in Bangkok and had myself examined in Bangkok hospital. Waiting my turn I was shown an article in Daily Express. It stated the following: “Dirty rain” and “Rains bring many diseases, including fatal leptospirosis, bird flu and dengue fever, the Public Health Ministry warns. The Ministry also cautions about emerging Japanese Encephalitis. The wet season will last until August and people falling ill should consult doctors and not to rely on over-the-counter medication, the Ministry said, adding that 19 people died of waterborne diseases so far this year”. (That was in 2008). I had small subcutaneous blood spots everywhere and the doctor first thought of “German Measles”, but after blood tests he found a sharp decrease in blood platelets, caused by the famous dengue. As medication he gave “Centrum tablets” to take, 1 per day and also electrolyte (which is a powder, to be dissolved in water) and to drink that “en volontee” like lemonade and also to take a blood sample every 3 days. let take. After a week the platelets were back to their normal level, but I continued the treatment with electrolyte and Centrum tablets for another week just to be on the safe side. The doctor told me that if I did not get treated, I could also get bleeding in the organs and when that is in vital organs, it can be fatal. So there is an adequate treatment for it. Centrum tablets are vitamins and electrolyte and a nutritional supplement, which 2 things can be found in almost every pharmacy. It is not the case that it can mainly occur in cities: I live on the edge of the vast rice fields, starting in Dan Khun Thot and have contracted it from the many insects that occur here. It is not only mosquitoes that spread the disease, but also other insects that are born in the water and waterfowl can also spread the famous bird flu. Be careful with chickens and ducks, make sure they are well cooked before you eat them, is the message. Eggs are also best eaten hard-boiled or well-done. That dirty rain, as mentioned, is caused by the farmers burning their fields. That smoke mixes with passing rain clouds and the rain that falls forms pools and puddles and it is in that polluted water that those diseases arise. This can occur just about anywhere in the world where polluting industry is present, including in our home countries.
I contracted it in Thailand in 2009, don't know where, been in changmai and pattaya.
I almost died from it, I suffered from cirrhosis of the liver, also had bleeding.
If you are attacked for the 2nd time by another variant of one of the four, the consequences are even more severe, you only become resistant to what you were already affected first.
Be sure to go to your doctor first for any vaccinations, have fun in Thailand
You can't vaccinate against dengue, in fact there are no medicines at all, the only thing you can take is paracetamol, absolutely no aspirin, to lower the fever and make sure you don't dehydrate and for the rest you have to sit out the ride.
@Ton: I don't think there are any vaccinations that prevent dengue, so in that sense you shouldn't expect anything from your GP…….
You get dengue from Tiger Mosqitos.
Took one today in our hotel room here in Pai. See picture
https://db.tt/tvd3yC9o
This year also during the day but sprayed with deet from Wild Lives 28%. Not even stung once in the past 3 weeks. This because of the Dengeu situation this year. Trad and Chiang Mai area in most cases. Google it yourself. Currently in Pai / Mea Hong Song area.
Hi! We are going to Koh Samui on December 8 with our 6 month old son. Can someone tell me what the state of affairs is there at the moment with regard to the dengue outbreak?
Greetings Jolijn
Hi Jolyn,
Many cases of denque are also known on Koh Samui. Just consult the internet. Be alert with your son, lubricate him well during the day and give him protective clothing.
Watch out for standing water!
Regards,
Bangkokian
We left for Thailand for three weeks at the end of October. We traveled from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and so on south. The epidemic was also present at the time, but sufficient deet rubbing or spraying brought us home completely healthy again.
I was in Thailand last summer. I have visited both Bangkok, Kao Sok/National Park and Koh Samui. I've always rubbed myself with DEET, but maybe because of the many rain showers that wasn't enough. The last days on Koh Samui I suffered from bleeding gums and nosebleeds. Then I left for home and then a high fever developed, which landed me in the emergency room of the hospital. They couldn't do anything for me, I was sent home with Dengue as a probable result. (which also turned out after putting a blood sample on culture) This fever has lasted almost 2 weeks. In addition, my hands and feet swelled up, I got bruises and rashes on the stomach and arms, a lot of headache, joint pain and when the swelling of my hands and feet disappeared everything started to peel. I was only allowed to take paracetamol to lower the fever. After these two weeks I was free of fever but often still very tired. After 2/3 months I got a lot of hair loss (due to the high fever). The virus is still in my blood, a test showed. Advice: lubricate and long sleeve and long pants. Buy there! Nice thin materials for very little money,
I contracted Dengue 2 years ago in Aruba. Been very ill for 1,5 weeks, confirmed by blood test. Also with all the symptoms; high fever, pain all over, bruising and unbearable itching in palms. Only a bowl of ice water helped to suppress it a bit… We want to go to Thailand for a few months now, but I doubt whether it is wise to go.