Leap in dengue fever cases

PHUKET: The Phuket Health Office (PHO) has issued its second dengue fever warning in less than a month. On June 12, the PHO reported that 55 cases of dengue fever had been recorded since the beginning of the year. Today it announced that the figure had risen to 75. Dr Boonrieng Chuchaisangrat, chief of the PHO, told the Gazette, “At this time of year, from June to August, there is a [greater] risk, everywhere in Thailand, of contracting dengue fever. “In Phuket, we have been able to control the spread of the disease and have yet to have a fatality from it. “People should be aware when the dengue fever ‘season’ is, and should protect themselves from catching it,” he added. The PHO recommends using an insect repellent to ward off mosquitoes that carry dengue fever. Dr Boonrieng said that the PHO will continue its campaign to encourage people to rid the area around their homes of conditions in which mosquitoes may breed, in particular pools of stagnant water. So far this year, dengue fever has claimed 79 lives in Thailand.