Thailand dengue fever warning
Wednesday, 13 Aug 2008 12:24
Thailand is a perennially popular destination for holidaymakers and gap-year students alike but the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned travellers to take extra precautions due to an increase in dengue fever.
This week the authorities in Rayong Province declared this east coast region of Thailand a dengue fever disaster zone.
Rayong is a coastal province on the Gulf of Thailand and includes popular tourist islands of Ko Samet, Ko Mun and Ko Kodi.
Dengue fever is endemic in Thailand and the country has seen a significant increase in the number of cases in the first six months of 2008.
The FCO reports that there have been 31,226 cases in 2008, resulting in 27 deaths, compared to 21,251 cases in 2007, resulting in 17 deaths.
Dengue fever is an acute haemorrhagic disease transmitted via the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which feeds during the day.
People travelling to Thailand should get travel advice before they leave home and take preventative measures to avoid being bitten.