Dengue Fever in Thailand

Continuous rainfall, high population density, subtropical/tropical climate, and high population mobility are all factors that contribute to the prevalence of dengue fever in Thailand. As there are no effective treatments for the disease, protecting yourself is the top priority.

September in Thailand is mesmerizing in many ways: festivals such as the Mon Floating Boat Festival and the World Gourmet Festival, lush landscapes, and glamorous resorts. The ‘Land of Smiles’ is a truly great getaway destination for unwinding, only without having to worry about getting dengue fever.

In this feature by Pacific Prime Thailand, we will provide a brief overview of dengue fever, namely its nature, methods of transmission, symptoms, treatment, and prevention methods.

Overview

In this article, We will first address the issue of dengue fever in Thailand, with a significant increase in numbers in recent years. Then we will walk you through the epidemiology of the disease, symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods. Alright, let’s get cracking!

The World Health Organization (WHO) has for years declared Southeast Asia as the region with the highest risk of infection due to its continuous rainfall caused by subtropical/tropical climates. The statement is justified by an escalation of dengue fever infection visible in Thailand every few years.

Recently, health authorities in Thailand issued a warning about an outbreak of dengue fever in the country, reaching a 3-year-high. The Ministry of Public Health announced 24,000 cases of infection with over 20 fatalities in 2023. The infection rate is over 4 times higher than the previous year.

The surge in infection rate is likely to be caused by the regaining of population density in enclosed public areas. Another reason is that as dengue fever manifests symptoms similar to COVID-19, people tend to take self-prescribing medications, which is heavily discouraged for dengue fever.

What’s Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is an acute mosquito-borne infection caused by the dengue viruses. It is especially prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Peak transmission occurs during the rainy season, which lasts from May to October in Thailand’s case.

Contrary to the misconception that it is a jungle disease, dengue fever is more common in heavily populated urban areas. Take multiple social and environmental factors into account: population density, human mobility, water storage practice, etc.

Means of Transmission

Dengue fever is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus female mosquitoes, similar to most rainy season illnesses. These species are active during the daytime, particularly two hours after sunrise and a few hours before sunset.

The mosquitoes become carriers of the dengue virus after biting a person with it, and can subsequently spread the disease by biting others. Normally, the virus does not spread directly from human to human, but it is still possible to get infected through blood transmission or organ transplant.

Symptoms

Dengue fever is also known as ‘break-bone fever’ because it often causes severe joint and muscle pain. Patients describe it as feeling like ‘their bones are breaking’. Apart from intense muscle pain, dengue fever is also characterized by a range of flu-like symptoms.

In most cases, the infection is asymptomatic, in which the infected individuals do not exhibit symptoms at all. In other cases, after the incubation period of 4-10 days after a person is infected, the symptoms will start to manifest, Symptoms may include:

High fever (40 – 41°C/104 – 106°F)
Intense headache
Muscle and joint pains
Pain behind the eyes
Nausea
Vomiting
Swollen glands
Rash

If left untreated, the illness may progress to severe dengue, also known as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS). Symptoms may include:

Severe abdominal pain
Persistent vomiting
Rapid breathing
Convulsions
Uncontrolled bleeding of gums or nose
Restlessness

This fever can last from two to seven days. Complications can lead to circulatory failure, shock, and even death.

Those who have recovered from the disease for the first time will have permanent immunity to that particular serotype. However, if they are infected with another serotype, they have a higher likelihood of developing severe dengue.

Treatment

There is currently no approved vaccine or specific drug treatment for the virus. Current approaches to treating the condition are focused on alleviating symptoms and relieving discomfort, such as managing fever, controlling pain, and replenishing electrolytes. Since human-to-human transmission is not possible, patients do not have to be quarantined.

Self-treatment at home is the most common practice for non-severe dengue fever. It’s important to do the following to speed up the recovery process:

Have enough rest
Drinking plenty of liquids (preferably water)
Use acetaminophen (paracetamol) for pain
Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Look out for severe symptoms and contact a medical professional if needed

Vaccination

Although French drugmaker Sanofi launched the world’s first dengue vaccine called Dengvaxia in 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization subsequently warned of its safety risks.

The watchdog said those without past infection could have an increased risk of severe dengue after vaccination. That’s probably why, despite the governmental implementation of various dengue prevention tactics, broadly administering Dengvaxia is still not a viable option.

Prevention

Since there is no cure or vaccine for dengue fever, the best way to protect yourself is through prevention.

Stop Potential Mosquitoes Breeding

Mosquitoes prefer shady and indoor environments with standing water. All mosquitoes like water because mosquito larvae and pupae live in water with little to no movement. Therefore, you should remove any stagnant water in containers, plants, tires, etc. to eradicate their potential breeding grounds.

Prevent mosquito bites

Avoid going to areas or countries at risk of dengue fever. In inevitable cases, arrange a consultation with a doctor at least six weeks before the trip, and take extra preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites. Then observe for any symptoms and seek medical attention promptly if feeling unwell.

If you live in Thailand, outdoor activities are unavoidable. Nonetheless, there are things you can do to lower the risk of getting dengue by protecting yourself from mosquito bites by using:

Light-colored and long-sleeved clothing
Clothes that cover as much of your body as possible
Use mosquito traps such as mosquito nets (ideally with bio-insecticide)
Use DEET-containing mosquito repellents on exposed body parts, reapply whenever necessary

Conclusion

For many Thai locals, not to mention expats, dealing with dengue fever is a year-long yet necessary task. The only effective solution to the disease is complete isolation from mosquitoes, which is deemed to be challenging in Thailand with its tropical climate and high population density.

It is never predictable whether or not you have been exposed to dengue fever. Hence, it is essential for expats to secure comprehensive health insurance to avoid unforeseen medical expenses out of pocket. Expat health insurance or international health insurance might be useful in this case.

However, there are many choices out there for your selection. It could be an overwhelming task to skim through all possible choices without the help of an expert in the field of insurance like Pacific Prime Thailand.

As an experienced and independent broker, we have almost two decades of experience in matching insurance solutions with clients’ specific needs. Feel free to contact us, and get an obligation-free quote or a plan comparison today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does dengue fever exist in Thailand?

Dengue fever is endemic in Thailand, particularly prevalent during the rainy season from May to October. Thailand in 2023 also reported elevated dengue fever activity, causing thousands of cases and several cases of fatality. Elderlies with pre-existing conditions are likely to be the victims.

How likely is it to get dengue fever in Thailand?

The risk of getting dengue fever increases with population density. It is more likely to get dengue fever in urban areas, especially during the rainy season. However, it can be effectively prevented with a few strategies including the use of mosquito repellents.

How is dengue fever treated in Thailand?

There is no specific treatment targeting dengue fever. Usually, painkillers are prescribed to relieve fever and immense muscle and joint pains. For more severe cases, it is better to consult your doctor. Vaccinations are still being invented.

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Author
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Eric Chung

Content Creator at Pacific Prime Thailand

Eric is an experienced content writer specializing in writing creative copies of marketing materials including social media posts, advertisements, landing pages, and video scripts.

Since joining Pacific Prime, Eric was exposed to a new world of insurance. Having learned about insurance products extensively, he has taken joy and satisfaction in helping individuals and businesses manage risks and protect themselves against financial loss through the power of words.

Although born and raised in Hong Kong, he spent a quarter of his life living and studying in the UK. He believes his multicultural experience is a great asset in understanding the needs and wants of expats and globe-trotters.

Eric’s strengths lie in his strong research, analytical, and communication skills, obtained through his BA in Linguistics from the University of York and MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Bristol.

Outside of work, he enjoys some me-time gaming and reading on his own, occasionally going absolutely mental on a night out with friends.