Dengue fever spreads in Krabi, Phuket safe

PHUKET: More than 400 people have been diagnosed with dengue fever in Krabi since January as the mosquito-borne disease spreads in the coastal province east of Phuket.

“There has been one fatal case in Krabi so far,” confirmed Phuket Provinical Health Office (PPHO) Chief Kajohnsak Kaewjarus. “However, everything is under control in Phuket.”

Krabi is currently ranked among the top ten provinces most affected by dengue fever, with Phuket ranked 22 out of the 76 provinces in Thailand.

“We have about 160 people in Phuket who we believe have been infected by dengue fever this year, which is down from this time last year, when there were more than 200 patients [Special Report here],” Dr Kajohnsak said. “At this point, there is nothing to be worried about.”

Nonetheless, local administrations and municipalities are preparing to step up their prevention efforts as more rain is on its way. Stagnant water left over from the monsoon weather is prime breading grounds for mosquitoes carrying the disease. Two years ago, former Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut unleashed his ‘333’ plan for battling a high dengue infection rate on the island (story here).

“All sources of unused standing water must be removed or covered,” Dr Kajohnsak warned. “You may add abate sand granules to all uncovered water sources. Local government bodies will have sand you can use.”

Though the situation is under control in Phuket, Dr Kajohnsak asked everyone to check for symptoms and receive medical attention if necessary.

Former Phuket Public Health chief Bancha Kakong explained that symptoms of dengue fever can include severe headache, joint and muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting and skin rash, which may appear over the body three to four days after the onset of fever. Serious symptoms include bleeding from the nose, mouth, gums and under the skin.

— Chutharat Plerin