Number of Dengue Fever Patients Continues to Rise, Urgent Action Needed
By [Your Name], Contributing Writer
Following a meeting with the public health team, Dr. Taret Krassanairawivong, MD, Director General of the Department of Disease Control, expressed concern as the number of dengue fever patients continues to increase. According to a report, there have been reported cases in 30 districts across 18 provinces, including Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Tak, Phetchaburi, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Krabi, Phuket, Songkhla, Satun, Narathiwat, and Bangkok. The presence of dengue fever patients has been consistently observed for over 8 weeks, with cases persisting within the last 4 weeks surpassing the average recorded during the same period over the past 5 years.
Under the current circumstances, it is essential to address the situation promptly and effectively. Dr. Taret emphasized the need for urgent action and the deployment of a team of experts from the Department of Communicable Diseases to combat the spread of dengue fever. This team, comprised of professionals from the Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Office of Disease Prevention and Control 1-12, Institute for Urban Disease Prevention and Control, and 38 insect-borne disease control centers across the country, will provide support and academic resources to reduce the number of dengue fever patients below the 5-year average.
Dengue fever has become a significant public health concern, with more than 5,000 cases reported nationwide per week. The cumulative number of patients since the beginning of the year has now reached almost 40,000, accompanied by more than 40 reported deaths. These figures approach the numbers recorded in 2019, where over 70,000 patients were detected, and the cases continued to rise throughout the year. Given these alarming statistics, there may be a need to enact legislation to swiftly and effectively control the disease.
Dr. Sophon Iamsirithaworn, Deputy Director General of the Department of Disease Control, highlighted that dengue fever is a communicable disease regulated under the Communicable Diseases Act BE 2558. If the number of cases remains high and continuous, the Director General of the Department of Disease Control is empowered, as stated in Section 9 of the Act, to declare specific areas as dengue fever hotspots. Based on recommendations from the academic committee, communicable disease control officers will be authorized to take action under Section 34, similar to the measures implemented for controlling other dangerous communicable diseases such as COVID-19 during the initial 2 years.
Under Section 34(8), local health teams will have the authority to enter houses, buildings, places, or vehicles where an epidemic is occurring or suspected to conduct disease prevention and control measures. These measures may include inspecting and eliminating mosquito larvae breeding sites, as well as spraying chemicals to eradicate mosquitoes in homes, temples, schools, hotels, or other locations that may not typically allow such interventions. Additionally, under Sections 34(4), (5), and (6), the owner of the venue must comply with the officer’s order to remove mosquito larvae, repair the environment, and take other necessary actions as specified.
By declaring epidemic areas, it is expected that cooperation from various stakeholders, including village health volunteers, government officials, the Ministry of Public Health, and the Ministry of Interior, can be strengthened. By utilizing the mechanisms provided by the law, it is possible to reduce illness and death caused by dengue fever more swiftly and efficiently. Most importantly, this approach aims to prevent premature deaths from preventable diseases among the Thai population.
In addition, the Department of Disease Control will issue letters to inform the communicable disease committees in the 18 provinces affected about implementing comprehensive dengue prevention and control measures over the next four weeks. These measures include establishing CDCUs (Communicable Disease Control Units) along with VCU (Insect-borne Disease Control Units), which consist of epidemiologists, entomologists, and medical technologists. These teams will be deployed in provinces where healthcare professionals have completed disease prevention training courses organized by the Department, in collaboration with local administrative organizations. Residents who suspect they may be infected with dengue fever are advised to seek medical diagnosis or contact the Disease Control Department’s helpline at 1422 for further information.
Distinction Between Initial Symptoms of Dengue Fever and COVID-19
On another note, Dr. Manoon Leechawengwong, head of the ICU specializing in respiratory diseases, critically ill patients, and geriatric diseases at Vichaiyut Hospital, shared a case on Facebook that revealed an instance of dengue fever. The 71-year-old male patient presented with high fever and body aches on July 12, 2023. Notably, he exhibited no cough, runny nose, sore throat, red eyes, or joint pain. The patient visited the doctor on July 14, where a physical examination revealed a temperature of 39.3 degrees Celsius. Blood tests were conducted, including the examination of blood cells and kidney function, with results indicating the presence of dengue fever genetic material after 48 hours.
Based on the diagnosis of hemorrhagic fever, the patient was advised to rest at home and take paracetamol to reduce fever. After 7 days, the patient’s fever subsided, and he reported feeling fine. However, there was a slight decrease in platelet count to 110,000 and a mild elevation in liver enzyme levels (SGOT 81, SGPT 64).
Of note, the patient’s son, residing in the same household, was also recently diagnosed with dengue fever on June 23, 2023. Despite the administration’s efforts, including mosquito control measures such as fogging, the spread of dengue fever within the house was not effectively halted. This year, the number of reported dengue fever cases has tripled in comparison to the previous year. Although there is now a test kit available for detecting the presence of dengue fever virus within an hour through blood diagnosis, false negative results can occur. Therefore, if dengue fever is suspected, genetic material testing using the RT-PCR technique is necessary, which takes 2 days to yield results. It is worth noting that spraying chemicals to control mosquitoes within the house has proven less effective than eliminating breeding sites in clean water sources in and around the household. Lastly, individuals are encouraged to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites, as this remains a challenging task.
The Impact of Food on Dengue Fever
Furthermore, it is important to consider dietary factors when dealing with dengue fever. Red foods should be avoided, while black or brown foods are recommended. Adequate nutrition plays a significant role in managing the symptoms and complications associated with this illness.
Complications of Dengue Fever Pose Increased Risks
The occurrence of life-threatening complications related to dengue fever is on the rise. The risks associated with these complications should not be underestimated, emphasizing the urgent need to address the situation and implement effective preventive measures.
Taret Krassanairawivong, MD Director General of the Department of Disease Control Said after the meeting with the public health team, the number of dengue fever patients continued to increase. According to the report, there are 30 districts in 18 provinces: Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Tak, Phetchaburi, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Krabi, Phuket, Songkhla, Satun, Narathiwat and Bangkok. Patients were found continuously for more than 8 weeks and there were dengue fever patients in the last 4 weeks. more than the average of the last 5 years in the same period
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Dr said. Taret that an urgent policy is given to a team of experts from the Department of Communicable Diseases carried by insects. Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Office of Disease Prevention and Control 1-12, Institute for Urban Disease Prevention and Control and 38 insect-borne disease control centers across the country Provide support and academic resources Reduce the number of patients below average over the last 5 years
The dengue situation detected more than 5,000 dengue patients nationwide per week, bringing the cumulative number of patients from the beginning of the year to almost 40,000 and more than 40 reported deaths, which is close to the number of patients and deaths from the latest cases in 2019 where more than 70,000 patients were detected and more than 70 patients continued to increase throughout the year. Legislation may be needed to control the disease as quickly and effectively as possible.
At the same time, Sophon Iamsirithaworn Dr. Deputy Director General of the Department of Disease Control explained that the Communicable Diseases Act BE 2558 announced that dengue fever It is a communicable disease that needs to be monitored. But if the number of patients is high and continuous And he must increase measures to control the disease to be more intensive The Director General of the Department of Disease Control has the power as stated in Section 9 of the Act to declare the place where dengue fever is spreading. as recommended by the academic committee Empower communicable disease control officers to take action under section 34 in the same manner as the control of dangerous communicable diseases like COVID-19 in the first 2 years.
Section 34(8) will allow local health teams to enter houses, buildings, places or vehicles where an epidemic is occurring or suspected. to watch out Disease prevention and control, such as inspecting mosquito larvae eliminating breeding grounds AND spraying chemicals to kill old mosquitoes in homes, temples, schools, hotels or other places. he may not be able to enter under normal circumstances, and Section 34 (4) (5) (6) also requires the owner of the venue to remove mosquito larvae and repair the environment, such as removing rubbish, breeding areas for mosquitoes Also according to the officer’s order
If an epidemic area is declared It will increase the cooperation of the people. Village health volunteers Government officials, Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Interior Under the mechanism of the law, it will be able to reduce Illness and death from dengue fever faster and more efficiently. Importantly, Thai people do not die prematurely from preventable diseases.
In addition, the Department of Disease Control will issue a letter to inform the provincial communicable disease committees of the 18 provinces to implement intensive dengue prevention control measures over the next four weeks. Including the establishment of CDCU together with VCU, an insect-borne disease control unit, consisting of epidemiologists, entomologists and medical technologists. In the states that have passed the training courses for disease prevention organized by the Department and coordinated with local administrative organizations Support resources to control and prevent dengue fever And if people suspect that they will be ill from dengue fever Go see a doctor for a diagnosis. Or ask for more information at the Disease Control Department’s helpline, call 1422.
How are the initial symptoms of Dengue Fever different from COVID-19?
On the other hand, Dr. Manoon Leechawengwong, head of the ICU specializing in respiratory diseases, critically ill patients and geriatric diseases at Vichaiyut Hospital Posted on Facebook Dr. revealed. Manoon Leechawengwong FC due to dengue fever.
A 71-year-old male patient with high fever, body aches, on July 12, 2023, no cough, no runny nose, no sore throat, no red eyes, no joint pain, came to see the doctor on July 14, physical examination, temperature 39.3 degrees Celsius, other things normal, sending the blood, sending blood cells and Kender, Blood and Kidey Matione Glow and Kidey Matione Blood and Kidey plates MLATETUE ON GOD’S COMMUNITY ON GOD’S COMMUNITY BLOOD ON GOD’S DAYS FOR DEWIG ANTER NACTERSEVEL DUE negative. Blood was sent for PCR genetic material for dengue fever and it took 48 hours to give a positive result.
diagnosed with hemorrhagic fever Have the patient rest at home. Taking paracetamol to reduce fever 7 days after illness On 19th July, fever went down, feeling fine, platelet count slightly down 110,000, liver enzyme slightly increased SGOT 81, SGPT 64
The patient’s son, who lives in the same house, was recently infected with dengue fever on June 23, 2023. Wichaiyut Hospital informed the Department of Health. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration sprayed smog to kill mosquitoes in homes on June 28 and July 3, but still failed to stop infected patients. Dengue fever situation this year Patients found 3 times higher than last year. Currently, there is a dengue virus or dengue fever virus test kit that can get results quickly within 1 hour through blood diagnosis for NS1-specific antigens and IgM antibodies. If the test is negative, it does not mean that the patient is not infected with dengue virus. If dengue fever is suspected, it is necessary to test for genetic material through an RT-PCR technique which takes 2 days. Spraying a chemical mist to kill Aedes mosquitoes in the house is less effective. Destroying the breeding sites of mosquito larvae in clean water sources in and around the house gives better results. Finally, you have to protect yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes, which is difficult.
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