Dengue fever in Mae Hong Son

[Khun Don]

Dengue fever in Mae Hong Son
Published: 16/07/2012 at 08:06 PMOnline news: Local News

Twenty one patients with dengue fever have been found in Mae Hong Son province since July 8.

There have been no reports of fatalities so far and the greatest number of Dengue fever cases was reported in Pai and Mae Sarieng districts.

Furthermore, 400 cases of malaria have been reported, along with one death attributed to this disease in Pangmapha district.

With mosquitoes being the diseases’ carriers, officials are advising people to destroy the insect’s breeding grounds. Health officials are also hitting areas with insecticide that may be mosquito
breeding grounds throughout the province.

Dr Paisarn Thanyawinitchakul, the chief of Mae Hong Son Public Health Office, added that the Mae Hong Son Health Centre is asking the public to cooperate in eradicating the mosquito breeding grounds.

Mosquitoes are especially rampant during the rainy season, which is their breeding period.

The public has been asked to exercise caution; anyone experiencing elevated temperature and a fever that is not alleviated by medication should seek immediate medical attention.

BANGKOK POST

[Evergreen]

I live in Pai and I have just recovered from dengue fever. The bout lasted for about 10 days and I remain a little fatigued, but otherwise well. Initially, I did not think I had dengue and it wasn't until I developed an alarming rash that I realised my problem. It is an unpleasant condition for which there is little treatment. I understand that it is not wise to take either aspirin or ibuprofen when dengue strikes as both have a tendency to thin the blood. As a hallmark of the disease is haemorraging (even in the non haemorragic strain), a high temperature should be addressed by taking panadol rather than the alternatives I have mentioned above.

Of course, the best strategy is to avoid the disease. Wearing long sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and enclosed shoes will significantly reduce the risk. The dengue mosquito ( spotted by the white bands on its legs) tends to attack at dawn and dusk and most often, close to the ground. Exposed areas of skin should be routinely treated with a good DEET based repellent. Any pots or clogged gutters where water can stand without flowing presents an ideal breeding ground for dengue mosquitos and a daily walk around the garden to empty still water is a good idea. I am not allied with the medical profession; rather I have spent my life as a journalist in tropical Australia and, as such, have knowledge of the condition, its causes and how to avoid it.

Dengue is not fun!

[mikeheart]

I read in the Bangkok post today that there is a severe problem with Dengue in Mae Hong Son. It went on to say that there is also an outbreak of alaria there so take care if you are going near to the Burmese border