Explosive increase in dengue fever in Thailand: 300% increase
Thailand has seen an alarming 300% increase in dengue fever cases. With more than 123.000 infections registered between January and November this year, the alarm is sounding. Most of the victims are young adults, and the situation is further aggravated by the discovery of numerous breeding sites of the responsible Aedes mosquitoes.
The Dutch can now have themselves vaccinated against dengue (dengue fever) before traveling to a dengue country, such as Thailand.
The Red Cross is concerned about the many cases of dengue infection in popular holiday countries such as the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Hospitals in various Asian countries can no longer cope with the number of patients with the tropical infectious disease.
Mosquitoes can make you seriously ill, take measures!
Attention and prevention against mosquitoes is important when you consider which nasty diseases these critters can transmit, such as Malaria, Dengue, Zika, Yellow Fever and Chikungunya. Especially in the tropics, these diseases are associated with many illnesses and deaths. The general advice therefore applies to travelers: take the right protection measures against mosquitoes.
By looking closely at how bees pick up pollen from a flower, Anne Osinga of In2Care discovered an innovative way to combat mosquitoes. Using the electrostatically charged mesh he developed, small biocide particles can be efficiently transferred to mosquitoes. Using this technique, resistant mosquitoes can also be killed with a minimal amount of insecticides.
Another dengue outbreak in parts of Bangkok
The municipality of Bangkok yesterday warned of the outbreak of dengue (dengue fever) after 671 infections were reported and one patient died. The warning applies to the districts of Thon Buri, Bang Khalaem, Khlong San, Huai Khwang and Yannawa.
Dengue outbreak in Pattaya
Thai and foreign tourists should watch out for the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes), which is mainly active during the day. A bite from the mosquito can result in an infection with the dengue virus.