Over half detected in Tak county
According to the Department of Disease Control ( DDC ), serious action is being taken to stop further outbreaks because Tak province has become a hotspot for malaria infections.
According to section records, there have been 2, 913 instances recorded in Thailand since January. The lot– 1, 671 instances– were found in Tak, followed by 308 in Mae Hong Son, 251 in Kanchanaburi, 187 in Ranong and 174 in Prachuap Khiri Khan, among people, the data showed.
About 60 % of people were foreigners, the DDC said.
Dr Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn, the division chief, said yesterday that an increase in malaria people, especially in western border regions, has prompted the department to monitor the situation closely and design a plan to tackle the issue.
He claimed that the division has instructed border health officials to stay on their toes against infections and that fast medical care can stop transmissions.
According to World Health Organization ( WHO ) 2022 data, 249 million malaria cases were reported globally, with 608, 000 deaths in 85 countries.
Thailand has worked closely with USAID, the WHO, and the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance to implement a 2017- 2026 proper program to remove the disorder.
Now, 49 regions in the country are considered disease- free.
On World Malaria Day tuesday, Steve G Olive, USAID vision chairman, said that Thailand’s efforts at controlling the disease are excellent.
He even praised the government’s actual- time tracking of the malaria situation, an energy in early detection and prompt medical answer.
According to Dr. Thongchai, the DDC has developed a” 1- 3- 7 preventive plan,” which requires a warning to be issued within a day after a case is discovered, followed by the source’s identification within three days, and a proactive strategy to stop transmission within seven days.
Marsh mosquitoes, which are often found in mountain forests, rubber plantations and near natural water sources, are carriers of malaria, said a department official.
Therefore, the official advises that people who reside in high-risk areas and tourists who stay overnight in mountain forests, stay away from mosquito bites, especially between dusk and dawn.
Those with symptoms such as fever, headache or chills must see a doctor immediately, the official said. The symptoms should be observed for 10 to 14 days, the official added.