In Thailand, tourists have been warned: the country has launched special teams to combat diseases transmitted by insects – and their employees are allowed to break into private homes and hotels for disinfection. The reason is the emergency measures taken to prevent the spread of the dengue fever epidemic.
According to the Thai mass media, the Ministry of Health initiated an “aggressive campaign” to eradicate mosquitoes. That’s because Thailand has seen a “nationwide surge” of the infection, with cases rising by about 5,000 cases every week.
The most affected provinces in which these brigades will be active include Krabi, Phuket, and Bangkok, as well as Mekong, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Tak, Phetchaburi, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ubonratchathani, Song.
“The numbers are on an alarming upward trajectory, with an increase of around 5,000 cases every week. These figures are close to the statistics of 2019 when about 70,000 people were diagnosed with the disease and 70 people who, unfortunately, died within 12 months, were registered,” the Thai Ministry of Health reported.
Among them, emergency control measures involve the use of special teams from the Bureau of Epidemiology and 38 centers responsible for combating diseases transmitted by insects. They are sent to the areas most affected by dengue fever.
“Their goal is to reduce the number of cases of the disease through a combination of mosquito eradication and educating residents about protective measures. “Among their broad powers is the right to enter private homes, hotels, and other places to inject substances specially designed to kill mosquitoes and their larvae,” Thai media reported.