and continue to take measures to prevent the spread of new infections. Emphasis on disease risk assessment including disease surveillance and related preparations To maintain the status of a disease-free province. As for provinces that still have outbreaks Emphasis on proactive patient search and expanding access to community policing services To control the situation in the said area to return to normal.
Malaria accounts for nearly 3,000 cases
Malaria situation From January – present There were 2,913 cases reported, which is similar to last year at the same time. The top 5 provinces with the highest number of patients are:
- Tak 1,671 cases
- Mae Hong Son 308 cases
- Kanchanaburi 251 cases
- Ranong 187 cases
- and Prachuap Khiri Khan 174 cases
It was found in the age group of 15 years and over, 74% were gardeners, 41% were farmers, 60% were foreign patients.
forMalaria in Thailand 90% will be the Plasmodium vivax strain, Plasmodium vivax malaria, or PV, which has few symptoms. Sometimes there are no symptoms. But he still has the virus.Infections can remain hidden in the liver for years. If the body is not healthy, it will show symptoms of illness.
However, in order for the infection to spread, there must be a period of time when there are symptoms. If an Anopheles mosquito bites while there is infection in the blood, it can spread the infection. You can observe yourself by being sick and having a history of being in an area with infection or not. If there is, you must inform the doctor.
From the risk assessment of malaria outbreak It was found that it was still happening continuously. Therefore, public health officials had to expedite the 1-3-7 measures by notifying when a patient was found within 1 day and examining the history to identify the source of infection within 3 days.
and respond to the situation within 7 days and control disease-carrying mosquitoes, especially in outbreak areas. and proactively search for patients in order to receive effective treatment and must take the medicine completely Prevent the illness from coming back again.
Unknowingly sick with malaria Worried about city people traveling to the forest
Dr. Thongchai also said that the current situation Some provinces were found to be malaria-free. The disease began to come back this year. Some come from border areas. There was a trip across the coast. especially the Myanmar border There is an increase in the patient rate.
After a battle situation and moving to Thailand along the border. For example, Ranong Province previously saw about 10 patients per year, but now sees about 100 people. Therefore, we have collaborated with USAID and network partners to cooperate for this region. Reduce illness And let it all go away in the end.
Moreover, what is worrisome is tourism in forests, mountains, waterfalls, and nature tourism, such as people in Bangkok who travel and come back sick with malaria. The doctor may not know your travel history. I will not think about this disease. Therefore, if I have malaria. Go see a doctor immediately and inform the doctor that you have a history of traveling to the forest.
forest infection Whether it will spread to the city or not, there is a research team that has not found it yet. Anopheles mosquitoes can spread disease to urban mosquitoes. City people who go to the forest and return to Bangkok don’t have to worry that The virus is spread from mosquitoes biting themselves and then biting others.
“What I’m worried about is that I’ll come back and be sick. but was diagnosed late Because they didn’t think about this disease, so if they went to the doctor, they emphasized that Please inform us of the history of which area you have been to. You can check with the Department of Disease Control that Which areas are where malaria is transmitted?” said Dr. Thongchai.
Malaria symptoms – how to prevent it
Dr. Apichat Vachiraphan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control Added that Malaria The Anopheles mosquito is a disease carrier. Often found in mountain forests, rubber plantations, and natural water sources. and are active from dusk until dawn Therefore, it is recommended that people living in the said area Protect yourself from mosquito bites. According to the time when mosquitoes are active
If you have any unusual symptoms, such as fever, headache, or chills, you must see a doctor immediately. For tourists or those traveling to stay overnight in the mountain forest area. Please protect yourself from mosquito bites. and observe symptoms for approximately 10-14 days
If you have a fever, headache, or chills, suspect that it might be Malaria Hurry and see a doctor at a public health facility near your home. To draw blood to check for malaria. And you must report your history of entering the forest or going to areas that are at risk to the doctor. to provide quick treatment If delayed, serious complications such as cerebral malaria may occur. May cause death
Aiming at eliminating Pf malaria
Meanwhile, Dr. Chanthana Phadungthots, Director of the Insect-Borne Diseases Division, said that eliminating malaria to zero in Thailand is It means eliminating the Plasmodium falciparum strain. Plasmodium falciparum malaria, or Pf, is a severe type of infection. If you are seriously ill, you may have symptoms of cerebral malaria, brain swelling, and coma. If not treated in time, you may… Can cause death
The goal of elimination is to prevent this species from being infected further in Thailand. Even though infected cases were detected as imported cases from neighboring countries. But it must be managed immediately. In order to prevent further infection within Thailand.
Currently, this strain found in about 5% of patients in Thailand is the Plasmodium vivax strain. Plasmodium vivax malaria, or PV (Pv), is a mild type of infection. But if not cured Infections can live in a person’s body for many years. Therefore causing symptoms of malaria to come and go 90% and the other 5% are other strains.
Malaria patients if treated in time Take the medicine for 3 consecutive days, but the PV strain You will need to continue taking the medicine for another 14 days to kill germs that are present but may no longer show symptoms. The problem encountered was that many patients did not take the medicine for 14 days, so a new medicine was invented to allow them to take only 1 pill per day.
“Patients who will receive this drug must not have G-6-PD (G-6-PD) enzyme deficiency, otherwise when receiving the drug it will cause red blood cells to break easily. Therefore, there must be a test for this condition first. Thai people and neighboring countries have 10-15% deficiency of this enzyme, which is considered high,” said Dr. Chanthana.
7 provinces where malaria has resurfaced
Reporters reported that Data from the Department of Disease Control indicates that in 2023, Thailand has 42 malaria-free provinces.
And there are 35 provinces where malaria is transmitted. Of these, 7 provinces were previously free from malaria. But infected patients were found again in the area, consisting of Chaiyaphum, Phuket, Phitsanulok, Lamphun, Kamphaeng Phet, Saraburi and Suphan Buri.
The other 28 provinces include Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Tak, Phetchabun, Uthai Thani, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Krabi, Songkhla, Yala, Narathawat, Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Lamphun, Trat, Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Mukdahan. Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima and Nan
5 strains of malaria
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by protozoa in the Plasmodium group (Plasmodium spp.). Currently, in Thailand, the most commonly found bacteria is Plasmodium vivax, which is a type that does not show severe symptoms. But it can come and go from an infection that has a dormant period. There are 5 types of malaria that cause disease in humans:
1. Plasmodium falciparum Plasmodium falciparum malaria, or Pf, is a severe type of infection. If seriously ill, symptoms of cerebral malaria may occur. If not treated in time, it may lead to death.
2. Plasmodium vivax Plasmodium vivax malaria or PV (Pv) is a mild type of infection. But if not cured Infections can live in a person’s body for many years. Therefore causing symptoms of malaria to come and go.
3. Plasmodium malariae, the malaria parasite Plasmodium malaria or PM (Pm)
4. Plasmodium ovale malaria parasite Plasmodium ovale or Po (Po)
5. Plasmodium knowlesi, the malaria Plasmodium knowlesi or PK (Pk), is a malaria virus that lives in macaques. then infects people
Tags: Malaria Thailand strain infection hidden liver years Mon Return meet patient
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