The number of dengue fever patients in Thailand recorded between January 1st and November 1st was more than 123,000, which is an increase of nearly 300% compared to last year.

Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, acting director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said that, of the 123,000 people infected, 139 have died and most were in the 25-34 age group.

He said officials had conducted field surveys of the potential breeding grounds of striped mosquitos, such as temples, mosques, churches, hotels, resorts, schools, factories, hospitals and government offices and discovered that 60.9%of temples are significant hatching grounds for striped mosquito pupae, followed by 55.6% of factories and 46% of schools.

There are four strains of the dengue virus and a person who is infected with two different strains is susceptible to developing more serious symptoms, said Dr. Thongchai, as he advised people who believe they may be suffering from dengue fever to refrain from obtaining medication themselves, such as buying aspirin from a pharmacy, and should see a doctor immediately.

He warned that delay in doing so by an adult who has underlying conditions, such as cirrhosis of the liver or menstruating women, may prove fatal.