Dengue may be more fatal for adults, dept cautions
The Disease Control Department has warned adults to beware of dengue fever as they are more at risk of dying from it than younger people.
Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, the department chief, said the symptoms are more complicated and severe when found in adults.
Usually, children are considered the most vulnerable group for this disease.
This year, 12 of 19 adults found to have contracted dengue have died.
“The symptoms are more severe among adults who are obese and who suffer from other non-communicable diseases, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. Dengue fever can lead these less healthy adults to suffer from kidney failure and subsequently die,” Dr Suwanchai said.
He urged adults to be wary of what may initially appear to just be a regular fever.
“Go to see your doctor immediately if you have fever for more than two days,” he said, adding that adults tend to be overly complacent in such cases.
“I would like the public to be more alert. Prevention is the best measure to limit casualties. I would love to see people deal with this disease by eliminating areas where water lies still in their homes because that is the best breeding ground for mosquitos, meaning it could be a source of such outbreaks,” he said.
This year’s seasonal outbreak started in April and is expected to last until the end of the rainy season in October.
According to the department, the number of patients with dengue fever in the first half hit 13,164, 19 of whom have passed away. Over half were aged 15 or older.
Areas with serious disease outbreaks include Bangkok and its vicinity as well as the provinces of Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Surat Thani, Krabi, Phuket, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Ubon Ratchathani, and Si Sa Ket.
Last year, there were 53,189 dengue cases while the death toll hit 63.
The department recently opened an Emergency Operation Centre to monitor outbreaks.
Those areas deemed at risk will be put under surveillance with extra medical care provided.