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Covid-19 has clearly impacted key health services and other disease control efforts around the world, resulting in school closures, lockdowns, curfews, and social restrictions in the hopes of limiting Covid-19's spread. However, such mandated alterations have led in the spread of other infectious diseases, such as dengue fever.
Dengue fever has made a resurgence in areas like Thailand, despite falling off the radar in terms of public awareness and actual cases during the last two years.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne virus that has posed a serious public health threat and has been a focus of public health policy in Southeast Asian countries. A recent study published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases found a considerable decrease in annual dengue cases, particularly in 2020, Covid-19's first year. Dengue cases in Mexico and Thailand are expected to drop temporarily, according to GlobalData epidemiologists.
Dengue fever rates were examined in 16 Latin American countries and seven Southeast Asian countries: the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. Researchers anticipated that there will be 720,000 fewer incident cases in 2020 than expected across all 23 nations studied. Mexico, in instance, was expected to have avoided 115,000 incident cases, while Thailand saw 225,000 fewer dengue infections in 2020.
Despite this, a dengue outbreak was reported in north east Thailand in 2020, with over 6,000 cases and four deaths in the first eight months of the year. According to the Thai Office of Disease Prevention, the instances were reported in the Isaan provinces of Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Mahasarakham, and Roi Et.
Dengue fever is characterised by a high temperature that lasts 2-7 days, as well as head and muscle aches, red spots on the hands, legs, and body, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, and loss of appetite. The severity of symptoms ranges from "uncomfortable" to "severe."
Lab-confirmed annual dengue cases in Mexico and Thailand have risen in recent years, according to GlobalData epidemiologists, and are predicted to reach over 80,000 by 2023. However, the impact of the Covid pandemic is causing a drop in diagnosed dengue cases in these two countries... figures that are falling short of anticipated projections.
So, what's causing this dramatic drop in dengue fever cases? Treatment-seeking behaviour for other ailments except Covid-19 was reduced in the early stages of the pandemic. One cause could be the focus on Covid and the scarcity of dengue-related hospital beds. In addition, the record-breaking dengue epidemics in the Americas and Southeast Asia in 2019 may have resulted in high levels of dengue immunity, making fewer people susceptible to the virus in 2020. In the first half of 2020 and 2021, staying at home, paying greater attention to hygiene, and fewer people getting out and about or travelling had a significant impact.
However, with the coronavirus on the decline, Thai health experts are predicting an increase in new cases this year. In the first month of 2022, two of the 193 people infected with the disease died - one at the age of 37 and the other at the age of 40.
Dengue fever cases have decreased in Thailand over the last two years, but the virus's herd immunity is starting to weaken, therefore Dengue is making a comeback in 2022.
The majority of the 193 dengue fever cases diagnosed in Thailand in January were located in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Nakhon Pathom, with 61 patients aged 5 to 14 and 48 patients aged 15 to 24.
There is no specific medication to treat dengue. About 1 in 4 people infected will get sick, some very, very sick. A severe case of dengue can be life-threatening within a few hours and will probably require hospitalisation. You can catch it more than once.
A lot of Thailand is jungle. And the weather is very humid. Mosquitoes thrive in both situations. You’re in their domain and they’re not going anywhere just because you want to live here or are on your vacation. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the carrier of Dengue Fever which is very prevalent in South East Asian countries.
Your best way to avoid Dengue Fever is to avoid the carrier mosquitos which bite you. Here are a few tried and proven methods.
1. Mosquitoes are attracted to the ground.
Mosquitoes prefer to 'hang out' near the ground, so your dangling feet and legs under the table are an easy target and out of sight. Over the clinking of drinks and the whizzing by tuk tuks, you won't hear them buzzing under there. Take repellant for your legs if you're going out to supper; the lower your legs are, the more likely you are to be bitten there. If you ask, most restaurants and pubs will have some spray.
The locations we love and respect about Thailand, nestled in the tropical jungles, are also the most risky for developing dengue fever. And just because you're living in a 10th-floor condo and think you're protected from mosquitoes doesn't mean you are; plenty of insects will find their way to you.
2. Watching the sunrise and sunset
Thailand's sunsets are spectacular. Sunrises for those who want to get up early. Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that transmits Dengue fever, does as well. As a result, you should take extra precautions against mosquitoes during these times of day. They'll be present. If you're at an outdoor venue at the time, make sure the fans are blowing air under the tables and that you have a fast spray of insect repellent on hand – almost every venue will have some.
3. They adore your fragrance.
Mosquitoes will be attracted to you if you smell pleasant — a smidgeon of perfume or aftershave here and there. Probably not the person you're looking for. The scented soap provided by the hotel (in the impossible-to-open plastic wrap) is most likely a pleasant scent for the persistent mosquito's tracking system.
They are frequently attracted to flowers when they are not biting you. If you want to prevent mosquitoes, go for bland. Purchase unscented deodorant as well. Instead, try luring your sweetheart with chocolates, flowers, and an expensive restaurant.
4. Biege has returned
Beige has returned. Mosquitoes are fashion victims who appear to be drawn to brightly coloured apparel. Mosquitoes are less attracted to light-colored clothing. The tropical safari suit (and 70s fashion item) is beige for a reason.
(By the way, in a safari outfit, only Roger Moore as James Bond looks stylish.) You won't look cool, but it might keep you from getting bitten.)
Reapply repellants as necessary.
You'll need to reapply whatever mosquito repellent you use on your skin every few hours. A single spray won't keep you awake all night. If you're outside, you're going to sweat, which washes away the repellant and gives the mosquitoes a new scent to attract them.
If you've spent the day hiking through the hills, beating the city pavements, swimming in the water, and relaxing on the beach... You'll be sweaty, salty, and ready for mosquito bites. They prefer it filthy!
Before heading out for sunset drinks at your favourite rooftop bar, take a shower without using scented soap or lotions.
7. Verify that the mosquito coil is operational.
Mosquito coils work well as a general deterrent, but make sure the fumes from the coil aren't blowing in your direction. Set them on the ground, around your legs and feet, where the majority of mosquitoes congregate. Check them frequently to ensure they are still burning.
8. Distracted by the light
Mosquitoes are drawn to light, thus if the lights are turned off outside but on inside, the mosquitoes will follow the light. Light will attract not only mosquitoes, but any bug. Turn on a light outside, turn off the lights inside, then open the doors to let the bugs back in. They'll make their way to the light.
9. Before going to bed, spray your room.
Mosquitoes will find you, no matter where you are. They don't care if you're staying in a five-star hotel overlooking the Andaman Sea or a back-packers in Chiang Mai's hills. Mosquitoes will find a way in if your room's defences are breached. Obviously, windows and doors, but also vents and other openings to the outside.
Unless you have fly-screens with no rips or tears, spray your room before going to bed and keep the doors and windows closed. Many of us dislike sleeping with the air conditioner on, but a dry throat in the morning is preferable to a dengue infection.
10. The Nets and their supporters
A mosquito net above your bed serves as a barrier between you and the mosquitos. Make sure there's no way in for them — if there is, they'll figure it out. A good fan will also help, but it must be blowing strongly enough to prevent mosquitoes from landing three times on your body.
A mild zephyr on the #1 setting will not suffice. You'll stay cool and mosquitoes won't be able to descend on you and bite if you place the fan correctly and set the temperature high enough.
Bottomline
The World Health Organization has designated Southeast Asia as the region having the highest risk of developing dengue fever. Dengue fever cases are on the rise, but you can manage most of the risk factors.
With its characteristic black and white stripes, the Aedes Aegypti mosquito is also known as the tiger mosquito. They bite most frequently between sunrise and sunset, but they can bite at any time of day. However, you are only at danger if the mosquito carries the Dengue virus.
Dengue affects at least 50 million people each year, and it is estimated that 20,000 people die from it each year around the world. After being bitten, the fever can take up to a week to develop. A measles-like rash may appear first, followed by a fever and a lack of energy. Victims express flu-like symptoms, although different strains of the virus cause diverse reactions. Some individuals experience excruciating muscular and joint pain.
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