Health officials have conducted fumigation operations in communities, schools and hospitals in Thailand’s central province of Ratchaburi after 14 Singaporean students and teachers on a study tour became ill from Chikungunya fever.
Chikungunya fever is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also spreads the Zika and Dengue viruses.
Department of Disease Control (DDC) director-general Dr. Suwanchai Wattanayingchaorenchai said Ratchaburi provincial health investigators found many mosquito breeding grounds with the number of striped mosquito larvae exceeding standard levels in communities, schools and hospitals.
All the Singaporeans were treated and they have now returned to Singapore.
Besides fumigation, he said that officials also distributed 20 sleeping nets and mosquito repellant cream to villagers and educated them on the need to get rid of mosquito breeding grounds.
According to the DDC, there have been 3,592 Chikungunya cases reported in Thailand since January 1st, but no fatalities. People aged from 25 to 34 were most affected and the disease can be more serious in adults than in children.
Symptoms are similar to those of Zika and Dengue, including fever and joint pain. Most victims recover fully, but joint pain may persist for weeks to years after infection.
