In an update on the dengue fever situation in Thailand, the Bureau of Epidemiology, MoPH, Thailand is reporting (computer translated) a total of 14,973 cases from 77 provinces through June 4. This is an increase in about 4,500 cases in the past two weeks.

Image/Robert Herriman
Image/Robert Herriman

In addition, four more dengue-related deaths have been reported bringing the total to 19.

The southern island province of Phuket continues to report the highest per-capita infection in the country  (93.34 / 100,000 population). According to the Department of Disease Control (DDC), From January 1- June 5 this year, 357 people in Phuket had been confirmed by local hospitals as contracting dengue.

Following Phuket for highest morbidity rate is Krabi, Nakornpathom and Pangnga provinces.

Last week, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Health Department reported their first dengue-related fatality. Bangkok, the capital and most populous city in the kingdom, has seen in excess of 2,400 dengue cases year-to-date.

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.

People get the dengue virus from the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It is not contagious from person to person.

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).