What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. It can progress to more a deadly form of the disease known as dengue haemorrhagic fever and cause death, and they infect 50 million people a year.

An estimated 500,000 people with severe dengue require hospitalization each year, and with an estimated 2.5% case fatality, annually (source: WHO).

Thailand’s rainy season, running from May through September, is also the high risk period for dengue fever, a potentially serious condition most prevalent in tropical countries, but particularly in Northeastern of Thailand.

Thailand has reported large numbers of Dengue cases nationally. Cases have been reported in Bangkok, Nakhonratchasima, Ubonratchathani, Nakhonsrithammarat, Chonburi, Srisaket, Songkhla, Burirum and Nakhonpathom.

Health officials said Bangkok reported at 11th June, 2019 that the most cases with 43.57 cases per 100,000 population that jumped over 1.7X at the same time last year. The Public Health Ministry has predicted the number of cases of dengue infections to rise to 94,000 – 95,000 this year (2019).

Vaccine tests are still carried out and there is no specific treatment for dengue, but appropriate medical care frequently saves the lives of patients with the more serious dengue haemorrhagic fever. See a doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment if you experience symptoms of dengue fever.