In Thailand, the number of people infected with chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease, has skyrocketed. There are no deaths, reports Outbreak News Today.
According to a report from the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom, 485 episodes of infection were recorded in the first week of June, which is 282 percent more than in the same period last year. For comparison, at the beginning of last summer, only 127 cases were detected. At the same time, the portal does not specify in which specific provinces there is a surge in infections.
It should be noted that this season the flow of tourists to Thailand has increased significantly. This was primarily facilitated by removing covid restrictions in some countries, such as China. According to Turistik Kamkor, 68,298 Kazakhstanis visited the country in the first 5 months of 2023.
The publication notes that the World Health Organization calls chikungunya a dangerous disease.
“The symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of Zika virus or dengue fever, which sometimes makes it difficult to diagnose. Signs of the disease include muscle aches, joint pain, nausea, fatigue, and rash,” the source said.
There is no specific treatment for the disease nor a vaccine.
“To protect against mosquito bites, it is recommended to use repellents, wear long-sleeved clothing, and install mosquito nets on windows indoors,” the publication advises.