Bangkok, Thailand – The Ministry of Public Health has updated the nation on the current status of dengue fever and proposed measures to prevent drowning incidents as the school break approaches.
According to Dr. Panumas Yanawetsakul, Director of the Disease Control Department, there has been significant monitoring of dengue fever cases across the country. On February 20, 2023, he reported, "Dengue fever has epidemic cycles, and we must remain vigilant until the rainy season." So far this year, Thailand has recorded 3,550 cases of dengue, representing 5.37 per 100,000 of the population, which is 4.8 times lower than the same period last year. Despite the decrease, the ministry continues to stress the importance of caution.
The demographics show the highest incidence of dengue fever among school-aged children aged 5 to 14, followed by young adults between 15 to 24 years. The southern provinces, particularly Phuket, Surat Thani, Songkhla, Phatthalung, and Narathiwat, are seeing the most significant number of reported cases. While most cases are mild, there have unfortunately been five reported deaths, primarily among the elderly, often complicated by obesity and inappropriate use of certain medications, such as NSAIDs.
Dr. Panumas highlighted the need for continuous monitoring and community-level engagement to control the mosquito population causing dengue. The Directorate is implementing four key strategies: surveying and destroying mosquito breeding sites, quality control of control measures, rapid diagnosis with the Dengue NS1 kit, and educating the public on appropriate medication use, particularly discouraging NSAID consumption among suspected cases.
With the approach of the school break, concerns rise over child safety, particularly related to drowning incidents. Dr. Taweechai Wisanuyothin, Director of the Health Office 9 Nakhon Ratchasima, stated, "Children must not be left unsupervised around water." He alerted parents to closely supervise their children during the upcoming holidays as warm weather may lead children to play near water bodies.
The Ministry proposed preventive measures for water safety. For children under five, the rule is “don’t get close, don’t retrieve, and don’t bend.” This means adults should prevent children from approaching any water source where they might slip or fall. For older children and adults, the suggestion is to “yell, throw, and extend.” When someone falls, bystanders should call for help, throw floating life aids, or extend something the victim can grab onto.
Dr. Taweechai emphasized the importance of teaching children swimming skills to help mitigate the risk of drowning. This skill can be life-saving if they accidentally fall. The Ministry also reminded families to assess their surroundings when visiting natural water sources, ensuring safety equipment is available, and proper signages are present.
Health officials reiterated their calls for awareness and prevention, especially amid fluctuated dengue fever cases and the impending holiday’s risks. They urged the public to report unusual animal behaviors to disease control centers, which will assist authorities to respond timely to potential rabies outbreaks and other zoonotic diseases.
For anyone needing more information, the Ministry of Public Health can be contacted at the disease control hotline: 1422.