Dengue Fever and COVID-19: A Heightened Threat During Rainy Season on ASEAN Dengue Day

Keypoints:

• 15 June, ASEAN Dengue Day Department of Disease Control predicts this year’s rainy season There will be more patients than during the past year. from not having an epidemic for many years Therefore, Thai people’s immunity has fallen. and during the time when COVID-19 patients will also increase in number
• disease situationDengue fever Since the beginning of 2023, more than 19,000 patients have been found, more than 4 times more than in 2022. Most of the deaths are adults. because of the delay in receiving treatment
• Differentiate the symptoms of the disease.Dengue fever and COVID-19, even with the same fever However, dengue fever does not have respiratory symptoms, but even with respiratory symptoms, it can be dengue fever.

At the 22nd ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting on July 2010 in Singapore, the 10 ASEAN member countries, namely Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia, agreed to
assign to date 15 June, ASEAN Dengue Day (ASEAN Dengue Day) to campaign for people in the country to be aware of disease prevention. and jointly solve problems

ASEAN Dengue Day Year 2023 campaign under the concept “stepping into Thai society Do not die of dengue fever” (Moving Forward to Zero Dengue Death)

Related news :
Open factor – Caution More adults die from ‘dengue fever’ than children.
‘Infectious Diseases Brought by Insects’ This Year Soar! Patients must report travel history to 3 provinces to the doctor.

Situation of Dengue Fever-COVID-19

informationDepartment of Disease Control (Khor.) Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reports on the situation of COVID-19 For the week between 4-10 June 2023, the number of patients admitted in the hospital. Increased by 2,709 cases, daily average of 387 cases/day

– 382 pneumonia patients

– 231 intubated patients
– 69 deaths, daily average of 9 cases/day
– Accumulated patients hospitalized (since January 1, 2023) 23,833 cases
– Cumulative fatalities (since January 1, 2023) 563 deaths
while the patientDengue fever Between 1 January – 7 June 2023

– 1,330 new patients (week 22)
– 19,503 cumulative patients

– 17 fatalities

– 4.2 times more than last year, the highest outbreak in 3 years

– The age group with the highest morbidity rate was 5-14 years old, 6,088 cases, sick rate 79.00, followed by 15-24 years old, 4,247 cases, sick rate 49.53.

– The provinces with the highest morbidity rates in May were Trat, Nan, Chanthaburi, Mae Hong Son and Rayong respectively.

However, all provinces are at risk of having to control mosquito larvae. Each house should inspect mosquito larvae and work together to eliminate them. Including the community because Aedes mosquitoes from one house can cross into another house, causing illness or spreading in the community.

“This year, dengue fever is worrisome. Because the immunity that used to be against dengue fever is reduced. This year, therefore, there is a high risk that there will be a high number of dengue fever patients in both ASEAN and Thailand. During the year, there are a lot of dengue patients, about 1.5 hundred thousand people. This year, Thai people have low immunity to dengue fever. There is a chance of getting seriously ill and dying.” Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary for Public Health said.
This month, we must not be careless and work together. Because dengue fever spreads seasonally, namely during the rainy season in June, it’s the rainy season and it will be a time when the number of infected people and deaths is higher. And there will be a high epidemic for 3-4 months from now, we have to help each other campaign to control and prevent dengue fever from this month onwards.

Delayed treatment of dengue fever

Dr. Opas said that the most ill and fatalities are adults. Which the symptoms are not like the patterns that have been known before Sometimes symptoms for a few days can cause severe or strange symptoms. Diagnosis is not easy. because the symptoms are similar to other diseases If the symptoms are not followed up or observed, the treatment will be delayed. There was violence and eventually death. Early diagnostic measures and self-observation are therefore important.

Dengue Fever Symptoms-COVID19

Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health The Department of Medicine indicates the symptoms of dengue fever.

• High fever lasting about 2-7 days
• red face rash
• headache
• pain
• anorexia
• Nausea and vomiting
• stomach ache

Some people may have black or bloody diarrhea if severe. Small red hemorrhages may be seen on the skin. Cough or runny nose is not usually seen. If breathing is difficult or pneumonia
The symptoms of COVID 19

• have a low to high fever
• body aches
• Sore throat, dry cough, or phlegm
• runny nose
• panting, labored breathing
• pneumonia in severe cases
• vomit
• Diarrhea is present in some cases.

No spots of hemorrhage were found on the skin. Parents should observe the symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.

The difference between dengue fever and COVID-19

Dr. Sophon Iamsirithavorn The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said that COVID-19 can be preliminarily screened with ATK, while the symptoms are similar, with a higher fever, but dengue usually has no respiratory symptoms. Most of them have high fever, pain in the eye sockets, and bleeding spots all over the body. scurvy or in the stomach due to low platelet count These symptoms are not found in COVID-19 and influenza.

“When the fever rises but there are no respiratory symptoms If COVID-19 is not detected, it is suspected that it is dengue fever and should see a doctor. It could be dengue fever. because they may be infected with other infections as well You must observe the symptoms and see a doctor.”