Thailand health officials reported an additional 5,000 dengue fever cases during the past week as the mosquito borne disease epidemic in the country continues on it’s heavy path this season.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

The Bureau of Epidemiology now puts the case tally at 117,012 cases all from 77 provinces, an increase of approximately 200 percent compared to last year, including 113 deaths, up from 108 a week ago.

The continuing surge in cases, particularly of the more serious hemorrhagic fever variety has prompted calls for blood donations. In a statement published in the Bangkok Post, The Thai Red Cross Society says the outbreak of the mosquito-borne viral infection has affected stock levels at the National Blood Centre. The blood centre could supply only 30% and 70% of blood and platelets, respectively, to hospitals, the society said.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease carried by mosquitoes and caused by any of four related dengue viruses. This disease used to be called “break-bone fever” because it sometimes causes severe joint and muscle pain that feels like bones are breaking.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there may be 50–100 million dengue infections worldwide every year. However, new research from the University of Oxford and the Wellcome Trust, using cartographic approaches, estimate there to be 390 million dengue infections per year worldwide.

There are three types of dengue fever in order of less severe to most: the typical uncomplicated dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHS) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).

There is not a vaccine for dengue fever. There is no treatment for dengue, just treat the symptoms.

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