Dengue fever arrives early

PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PHO) has warned that there is an increased risk of dengue fever infection this year. From January 1 to 26, 11 cases of dengue fever were reported in Phuket, all in the Muang and Thalang districts. The highest number of patients was reported in Tambon Rassada, followed by Tambon Wichit and Tambon Mai Khao. No cases have been reported in the main tourist areas on the west coast of Phuket, and there have been no reported deaths from the mosquito-borne disease. Normally, dengue fever does not become prevalent until May, and does not peak until the rainy season, from June to August, though the onset of the fever also began early in 1999. The number of reported cases per year tends to peak every second year. Children aged 10 to 14 years old are most at risk of contracting the disease, followed by children between 5 and 9, and people between 15 to 24 years old. So far, there have been no reports of infections in children under 5 or adults of 44 or older. To stop the spread of the disease, the PHO recommends preventing mosquito larvae from developing in stagnant water, by frequently changing the water in open storage containers and by keeping fish in pools.