Dengue Fever Reaches Bangkok Thailand, Five Deaths Reported

The Health Department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (HDBMA) has issued a Dengue Fever warning, according to the Bangkok Post.

According to HDBMA, dengue hemorrhagic fever is spreading in Nong Chok, Huai Khwang, Bang Kapi and Klong Samwa districts.

The Health Department said ‘the spreading of disease in the 4 districts was attributed to heavy and consistent rain in the capital.’

In Bangkok during 2018, there have been 5,899 patients infected dengue patients and 5 fatalities, reported the HDBMA.

Bangkok governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang told the Bangkok Post  he ‘ordered strict disease control measures, including fumigation to kill mosquito larvae.’

Most cases of dengue fever in Thailand tend to surface in rural areas of the country.

With more than one-third of the world’s population living in areas at risk for infection, dengue virus is a leading cause of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics. As many as 400 million people are infected yearly.

Dengue is caused by any 1 of 4 related viruses transmitted by mosquitoes, says the CDC. 

On March 12, 2018, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised travelers to Thailand to review their vaccination history with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist prior to departure.

Additionally, the following diseases are possible risks when traveling in Thailand.

This list is based on the CDC’s best available surveillance data and risk assessment information at the time of posting. It is not a complete list of diseases that may be present in a destination.

But, the CDC says there are no specific antiviral agents for dengue fever.

Dengue patients should be advised to stay well hydrated and to avoid aspirin, 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 and vaccination appointments can be requested at Vax-Before-Travel.

The first dengue vaccine, CYD-TDV (Dengvaxia®) is currently licensed in 20 countries, and one Phase 3 candidate is Takeda’s TAK-003.

As of September 14, 2018, neither the CDC nor the US Embassy had issued Travel Alerts for Thailand.