Dengue Fever Outbreaks in Thailand Expand 19% in One Month

BANGKOK – Thailand’s ongoing Dengue virus outbreak has now been confirmed in 39,268 cases, from 77 provinces during 2018.

The Thailand National Disease Surveillance Report published on October 1, 2018, reflects a 19 percent increase of Dengue cases in just 1 month.

The top 5 morbidity rates were reported in Nakornnayok, Maehongsorn, Nakornsawan, Nakornpathom, and Phichit provinces.

The Thailand Ministry of Public Health launched various dengue prevention tactics, but, broadly administering the new Dengvaxia vaccine is not included.

Public Health says that Dengvaxia dengue vaccine should only be administered to individuals who have previously been confirmed to have had a specific type of dengue infection.

This news is important to 35.38 million international travelers to Thailand during 2017, with over 30% of visitors  coming from China.

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its recommended vaccinations prior to traveling to Thailand on March 12, 2018.

But, as of October 2, 2018, the CDC has not issued a dengue-related Travel Alert for Thailand.

The incidence of dengue has grown dramatically since the 1950s, with 40 percent of the world’s population now at risk from dengue, says the CDC.

The Dengue virus is not contagious, which means it cannot be passed from one person to another, and there are no specific antiviral agents for the treatment of dengue, says the CDC.

Dengue virus patients are advised to stay well hydrated and to avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing drugs, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen because of their anticoagulant properties, says the CDC.