Public Health permanent secretary: Chikungunya in the South not yet severe

BANGKOK, 26 May 2009 (NNT) – Permanent Secretary for Public Health Prat Boonyawongwirote asserted the outbreak of Chikungunya fever in the southern region was not yet severe.

MD Prat said there were more than 20,000 people in the southern region who had been infected with the mosquito-borne virus, which cause patients to develop fever and joint aches. No deaths have occured from the disease. No vaccine was available for the virus, and patients were treated based on their condition.

MD Prat said people entering areas with mosquito presence should wear clothes that cover the whole body and put on mosquito repellants. They should also sleep within the safety of mosquito nets. He also urged people to destroy mosquito breeding grounds.

He said the Public Health Ministry had laid down stringent measures to prevent the disease’s spread.

The Permanent Secretary also requested collaboration from patients of the disease in avoiding travels to other provinces until they are cured, in order to prevent futher spreading of the virus.