Thailand health officials are reporting an increase in dengue fever this year, in fact, they are reporting the highest number of cases by this time in five years, Dengue fever is reportedly on the rise in Bangkok and the Department of Disease Control says the number of dengue infections in the capital reported from January 3 to July 3 is “unprecedented,” according to Nation Thailand.
During the six month period, a total of 1,043 people in Bangkok tested positive for the mosquito-borne illness, which is also known as “breakbone fever” because of the common symptoms of muscle and joint pain.
Bangkok districts where dengue is most prevalent include Bang Khun Thian, Chom Thong, Bang Khae, Yan Nawa, Din Dang, Thon Buri, Suan Luang, Lat Prabang, Lat Phrao, and Bang Na.
In Thailand, there have been 9,878 dengue infections and four deaths linked to the disease from January to July. The provinces Ranong, Rayong, Nakhon Pathom, and Mae Hong Son also have high infection rates.
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) says most patients were aged between 5 and 14, followed by those aged 15 to 34 and birth to 4 years respectively.
Previously, the DDC had launched an anti-dengue campaign in Bangkok. The campaign pleaded with residents to make sure their homes, as well as the surrounding area, were clean with no stagnant water where mosquitoes could breed.
Dengue is a virus that is spread when a mosquito bites someone. The bite can then lead to a fever and produce flu-like symptoms. When dengue fever takes a more severe form, called dengue hemorrhagic fever, there can be serious bleeding and even death. Symptoms of dengue include rashes, headaches, puking, and pain behind the eyes.
There are four closely related but antigenically different serotypes of the virus that can cause dengue (DEN1, DEN 2, DEN 3, DEN 4).
Dengue Fever (DF) – marked by an onset of sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and pain in muscles and joints. Some may also have a rash and varying degree of bleeding from various parts of the body (including nose, mouth and gums or skin bruising).Dengue has a wide spectrum of infection outcome (asymptomatic to symptomatic). Symptomatic illness can vary from dengue fever (DF) to the more serious dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) – is a more severe form, seen only in a small proportion of those infected. DHF is a stereotypic illness characterized by 3 phases; febrile phase with high continuous fever usually lasting for less than 7 days; critical phase (plasma leaking) lasting 1-2 days usually apparent when fever comes down, leading to shock if not detected and treated early; convalescence phase lasting 2-5 days with improvement of appetite, bradycardia (slow heart rate), convalescent rash (white patches in red background), often accompanied by generalized itching (more intense in palms and soles), and diuresis (increase urine output).
Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) — Shock syndrome is a dangerous complication of dengue infection and is associated with high mortality. Severe dengue occurs as a result of secondary infection with a different virus serotype. Increased vascular permeability, together with myocardial dysfunction and dehydration, contribute to the development of shock, with resultant multiorgan failure.