Dengue Fever in Phuket, Thailand

According to the Ministry of Public Health, Phuket, which is a major tourist destination, still has the highest per capita infection rate of dengue fever in the country. From January 1nthrough June 5 this year, 357 people were infected with dengue fever virus. Two people have died.

Advice

The risk of exposure will vary from place to place and may be high in many localities.

All travellers to areas where the dengue fever virus is active can reduce their risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Many persons with dengue fever do not seek medical care and are not reported to health authorities. There may be many more cases in the community than the reports indicate.

Travellers should also be aware that where dengue fever virus is active, there is a possibility that the chikungunya and Zika viruses may be present also since they are transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue virus.