Record Number of Dengue Deaths in Thailand in 2013
The number of people dying from Dengue Fever in Thailand is now at 62 in only 6 months. This is a big increase from previous years: 2012 (18 deaths), 2011 (13 deaths), 2010 (33 deaths) and 2009 (17 deaths). The number of people with Dengue Fever symptoms this year so far is 54,042 which is more than double compared to last year.
Provinces in Thailand with the most deaths are Songkhla (10 deaths), Loei (6 deaths), Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Si Thammarat & Chumphon (3 deaths) and Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Sawan, Sukhothai, Phang Nga and Phuket (2 deaths). Bangkok has had one death so far.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. The following are key facts about this disease as noted by WHO:
- Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection.
- The infection causes flu-like illness, and occasionally develops into a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue.
- The global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically in recent decades.
- About half of the world’s population is now at risk.
- Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.
- Severe dengue is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children in some Asian and Latin American countries.
- There is no specific treatment for dengue/ severe dengue, but early detection and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates below 1%.
- Dengue prevention and control solely depends on effective vector control measures.
Please be extra careful this year in not only preventing mosquito bites, but also in monitoring people with flu-like symptoms. If in doubt, please visit your doctor.
RT @MorningNewsTV3: ปีนี้คนไทยสังเวยชีวิตจากไข้เลือดออกไปแล้ว 62 ราย http://t.co/B0HqMXIsxX
