Rate Of New Dengue Fever Patients Increases To 8,000 Per Week: Thailand

The Ministry of Public Health has revealed that the rate of new dengue fever cases has reached 8,000 per week, and that 71 people have already died from the disease this year: coinciding with the severe dengue outbreak situation in Laos.

Lao media are reporting ‘historic’ levels of dengue fever outbreak in the country. Lao officials have disclosed that 4,617 patients, the highest concentration of dengue fever cases, have been found in the capital of Vientiane. Of this number, 16 have died; followed by Champasak province, where 3,306 cases have been reported, 27 of the patients have died. The number of cases is expected to rise, according to the Lao media.

Thai minister of public health Pradit Sinthawannarong has indicated that most of those killed by the disease in Thailand are between 15-24 years of age. Some of the victims did not think they had the disease, and thus came to the doctor too late. This year’s number of those afflicted by the disease is 3 times as many as last year’s, prompting him to tell village health volunteers to step up their mosquito suppression efforts.

Source: NNT