Rising Dengue Fever Cases in Thailand Spark Urgent Call for Disease Control Measures

2023-07-23 14:47:38

The Department of Disease Control reveals that dengue fever nationwide has increased by more than 5,000 per week, with 40,000 accumulated since the beginning of the year and more than 40 deaths, especially in 30 districts in 18 provinces. Aiming to use the law to control

On July 23, 2023 Dr. Thares Krassanaiwiwong Director-General of the Department of Disease Control (Khor.) He said that on July 21, he held an online meeting with public health teams in 30 districts of 18 provinces where the number of patients has been increasing steadily. and representatives of the Department of Local Administrative Promotion (Sor.) to emphasize that the team in the area accelerates disease prevention during the 4 weeks from now (July 21 – August 18, 2023). According to reports, there are 30 districts in 18 provinces, namely Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Tak, Phetchaburi, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Krabi, Phuket, Songkhla, Satun, Narathiwat and Bangkok. Patients were found continuously for more than 8 weeks and there were dengue fever patients in the last 4 weeks. greater than the average of the past 5 years in the same period considered to be close to the criteria for declaring a dengue epidemic area

Dr. Tares continued that he had given an urgent policy to a team of specialists from the Division of Communicable Diseases carried by insects. Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Office of Disease Prevention and Control 1-12, Urban Disease Prevention and Control Institute and 38 insect-borne disease control centers across the country Provide academic support and resources to reduce the number of patients below the average for the past 5 years

“The Department of Disease Control works with the Department of Health Service Support. and the Medical Department for a while to reduce patients and deaths and in near-crisis conditions now Has coordinated to ask for more cooperation from the Department of Local Administration. ministry of interior to mobilize forces to fight dengue as well, ”said Dr. Tares.

Dr. Sophon Iamsirithavorn Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control explained that the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 has announced that dengue fever It is a communicable disease that needs to be monitored. But if the number of patients is high and continuous And must increase measures to control the disease to be more intense The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control has the power as specified in Section 9 of the Act to declare a place where dengue fever is spread. as recommended by the academic committee To empower communicable disease control officers to take action under section 34 in the same way as the control for dangerous communicable diseases such as COVID-19 in the first 2 years.

Section 34 (8) will allow local health teams to enter houses, buildings, places or vehicles where there is or is suspected of having an epidemic outbreak. to watch out Prevent and control disease, such as exploring mosquito larvae eliminate breeding grounds And spray chemicals to kill old mosquitoes in homes, temples, schools, hotels or other places. that may not be able to enter under normal circumstances, and Section 34 (4) (5) (6) also requires the owner of the venue to eliminate mosquito larvae and fixing the environment, such as eliminating garbage, breeding grounds for mosquitoes According to the order of the officer as well

“If an epidemic area is declared It will increase the cooperation of the people. Village health volunteers Government officials, both the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Interior Under the mechanism of the law, it will be able to reduce Illness and death from dengue fever faster and more efficiently. Most importantly, Thai people do not die prematurely from preventable diseases, ”said Dr. Sophon.

In addition, the Department of Disease Control will issue a letter to inform the provincial communicable disease committees of the 18 provinces to implement intensive dengue prevention control measures over the next four weeks. Including the establishment of a CDCU plus VCU, an insect-borne disease control unit, consisting of epidemiologists, entomologists and medical technologists. In the provinces that have passed the training courses for disease prevention organized by the Department and coordinated with local administrative organizations To support resources in controlling and preventing dengue fever And if people suspect that they will be sick from dengue fever To see a doctor for a diagnosis. Or ask for more information at the Department of Disease Control hotline, call 1422.

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