Health warnings issued as rains approach

PHUKET: With the rainy season approaching, the Phuket Health Office has issued warnings about the increased risk of dengue fever and malaria. The office recommended using an insect repellent to ward against the mosquitoes that spread dengue fever and malaria. Cases of dengue in Phuket have receded sharply over the past year. Dr Boonrieng Chuchaisangrat, chief of Phuket Health Office told the Gazette, “Every year in Phuket we have an outbreak of dengue fever, but last year we were able to control the spread of the disease. “We had about seven patients suffering from dengue at the beginning of this year, which was dramatically less than last year. Between January and July last year, 69 cases were recorded.” There have been no reported cases of malaria in Phuket for at least five years, due primarily to a public awareness program carried out by the Phuket Municipality and District Offices. Meanwhile, the Phuket Town Municipality has urged anyone living near illegal Burmese worker camps to contact the Provincial Health Office or a District Office so that they can carry out health checks to prevent the possible spread of disease. It is believed by many that Burmese workers bring dengue fever and malaria with them from Burma.