Phuket leads in dengue crisis: Kids worst hit in southern Thailand

Phuket has become the hotspot for dengue fever in upper southern Thailand, reporting the highest infection rates among seven provinces, according to the Department of Disease Control’s regional office.

Surge in Dengue Cases

Dr. Darinda Rosa, acting Director of Health Region 11’s Disease Control Office, highlighted a significant surge in dengue cases from January 1 to the present, with a total of 5,853 cases reported. The most affected age groups are children aged 10-14, followed closely by those aged 5-9 and 15-19.

Urgent Measures Needed

The spike in dengue cases has prompted urgent calls to eradicate mosquito breeding grounds, especially during the rainy season. Dr. Darinda emphasized the importance of eliminating stagnant water in containers and other materials, which provide ideal breeding sites for Aedes mosquitoes, the primary carriers of dengue fever.

“It is crucial for the public to adhere to the ‘3 Collects, Prevent 3 Diseases’ measures,” said Dr. Darinda.

Preventative Recommendations

Dr. Darinda recommended several preventative measures to the public:

• Use mosquito nets.
• Apply mosquito repellent.
• Take precautions to prevent dengue fever, Aedes arthritis, and Zika virus infections.

Medication Advisory

Clinics and pharmacies have been advised to avoid administering NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin, or combination drugs to suspected dengue patients. These medications can induce gastrointestinal bleeding and complicate treatment.

Symptoms and Treatment

Patients whose symptoms do not improve within two days are urged to visit a hospital. Key symptoms to watch for include:

• High fever
• Headache
• Pain in the eyeballs
• Red face
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rash
• Bleeding spots on the torso, arms, and legs

For more information about dengue and available public healthcare treatments, individuals are encouraged to contact the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.

Public Health Response

So far this year, the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) has not reported any dengue infection rates for the island, nor has it issued any dengue warning notices since the rainy season began in May.

Government Efforts

A separate local government report noted a visit by officials from the Ministry of Public Health Region 11 office, based in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, to Phuket. This visit focused on Phuket City Municipality’s efforts to have Phuket Town assessed and declared a Healthy City.