Dengue fever to worsen in Thailand

BANGKOK, March 3 (TNA) - Dengue fever in Thailand has already become worsen from last year while it is projected that the number of patients would soar to 150,000 and as many as 200 of them would die in 2013, said Public Health Minister Dr. Pradit Sintavanarong. Already the number of patients during the first two months this year stands at 9,824, about four times more than the same period last year, and about half of them are students, Dr. Pradit said. Twelve persons have died from the disease. The major reason behinds the increase of patients is that the number of striped mosquitoes in the country has increased sharply, he said, adding that the best for reducing the number of human victims is to destroy striped mosquito breeding sources at buildings and schools nationwide. Urging the public to help destroy the mosquito babies at least once a week, Dr. Pradit said he would propose to the cabinet during its weekly meeting this Tuesday calling for cooperation from every ministry to help eradicate striped mosquitoes until the upcoming rainy season. (TNA)