Dengue Outbreak in Thailand Reaches 31,708 Cases

The Dengue Fever outbreak in Thailand continues to impact 77 provinces and has now been confirmed in 31,708 cases.

This National Disease Surveillance (Report #506), published by the Thailand Bureau of Epidemiology, reflects a 24 percent increase in just 4 weeks.

Dengue viruses are spread by the bite of the "Aedes aegypti" mosquitoes and transmitted to the human body. Dengue is not contagious, which means it cannot be passed from one person to another.

The incidence of dengue has grown dramatically with 40 percent of the world's population now at risk from dengue, says the CDC.

The Thailand Ministry of Public Health launched various dengue prevention tactics, but, broadly administering the Dengvaxia vaccine is not included.

Thailand is investigating the efficacy of Dengvaxia.

This is because the World Health Organisation (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization said ‘the Dengvaxia vaccine should be managed much more carefully.’ 

During April 2018, SAGE said that it would be unsafe to give the Dengvaxia vaccine to people who had not previously been infected with dengue.

To prepare USA citizens prior to visiting Thailand, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its recommended vaccinations prior to traveling to Thailand during March 2018.

** Schedule your travel vaccine appointment at Vax-Before-Travel **

But, as of September 1, 2018, the CDC has not issued a dengue-related Travel Alert for Thailand.

And, the CDC says there are no specific antiviral agents exist for dengue.

Dengue patients should be advised to stay well hydrated and to avoid aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), aspirin-containing drugs, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen because of their anticoagulant properties, says the CDC.

Travel vaccines and medicines are available at certified pharmacies in the USA.