The notice, issued yesterday (Sept 19), was posted with no explanation.
Of note, the PPHO does not publicly report the dengue infection rate in Phuket, despite the Department of Disease Control Regional 11 office in July confirming that in the first six months of this year, Phuket had the highest dengue infection rates per 100,000 population in the seven provinces of Upper Southern Thailand.
A total of 5,853 cases have been reported, with the highest infection rates among the 10-14 age group, followed by the 5-9 and 15-19 age groups, reported Dr Darinda Rosa, Acting Director of the Disease Control Office 11.
Phuket had the highest dengue infection rates, followed by Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Krabi, Chumphon and Ranong, she noted.
The advisory issued by the PPHO yesterday was marked “Dengue Fever: Transmission, Symptoms, and Treatment” with the following information:
Dengue fever, a viral illness caused by the dengue virus, is spread primarily through the bite of the Aedes mosquito. The disease is transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected person and then bites someone else, passing on the virus.
TRANSMISSION OF DENGUE FEVER
Dengue fever is commonly spread through human-to-human transmission, with the Aedes mosquito as the main carrier. The female mosquito bites an infected person, allowing the virus to multiply inside it. The mosquito then carries the virus for the remainder of its life, which lasts about 1 to 2 months. The virus is then transmitted to other people through subsequent bites. Aedes mosquitoes are typically found indoors and are most active during the day. They breed in stagnant water found in containers such as jars, vases, bowls, and even discarded tires. The risk of dengue fever increases during the rainy season when mosquitoes breed more and people stay indoors, making cities like Bangkok hotspots for the disease year-round.
SYMPTOMS OF DENGUE FEVER
Dengue fever progresses in three stages:
Stage 1: High Fever
Patients experience a sudden onset of high fever lasting 2-7 days. Other symptoms include a red face, muscle pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Some may develop a non-itchy rash, and in severe cases, bruising or small red spots may appear on the skin. If symptoms worsen, the patient may enter the second stage.
Stage 2: Shock and Bleeding
This critical phase typically occurs between the third and seventh days of illness. The fever suddenly drops, but the patient’s condition can deteriorate rapidly. Symptoms of shock include cold hands and feet, restlessness, rapid pulse, low blood pressure, and little urine output. Bleeding may also occur, leading to nosebleeds, vomiting, and bloody stools. This stage lasts 24-48 hours and can be life-threatening without immediate treatment.
Stage 3: Recovery
If the patient receives proper treatment and survives the shock phase, recovery begins. Improvement is marked by the return of appetite and strength, and the body gradually returns to normal. Recovery takes about 2-3 days, with the illness lasting 7-10 days in total.
TREATMENT FOR DENGUE FEVER
Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue fever. Symptom management is the most effective approach. Paracetamol is typically used to reduce fever, but aspirin should be avoided as it can worsen bleeding. Patients are encouraged to drink fluids and monitor for symptoms of shock, particularly when the fever subsides. If symptoms like abdominal pain, cold extremities, dizziness, or fainting occur, immediate medical attention is crucial.
Early detection and timely treatment are key to reducing the risks associated with dengue fever, especially during critical stages, the PPHO noted.
In her report in July, Rosa, Acting Director of the Disease Control Office 11. urged the public to follow the "3 Collects, Prevent 3 Diseases" measures:
- Keep your house clean: Improve the environment in your house to be tidy, and do not allow dark corners where mosquitoes can rest.
- Collect garbage around your house: Prevent Aedes mosquito breeding grounds.
- Collect water: Close containers with tight lids, change the water in vases every week, and scrub the edges of containers to eliminate Aedes mosquito eggs.