Thai health officials are warning the public of the mosquito borne viral disease, dengue fever, as cases of the disease have picked up significantly this summer.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

According to Thailand news sources, last week, 3,303 people were reportedly infected by the virus, three of whom died, one each from Pathum Thani, Ratchaburi and Petchaburi provinces; which brings this year’s total number of infections to 42,900 and 35 deaths.

Five provinces: Rayong, Trad, Petchaburi, Tak and Ang Thong, are the areas where the disease mostly reportedly spread, said the Department.

During the first six months of 2015 (Jan-June), health officials reported a total of 14591 cases from 77 provinces, including 1 death.

Dengue virus is transmitted by female mosquitoes mainly of the species Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, A. albopictus.

The World Health Organization says there are 4 distinct, but closely related, serotypes of the virus that causedengue (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4). Recovery from infection by one provides lifelong immunity against that particular serotype.

However, cross-immunity to the other serotypes after recovery is only partial and temporary. Subsequent infections by other serotypes increase the risk of developing severe dengue.

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