People warned to beware of seven diseases in 2018

BANGKOK, December 22 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Public Health warns people to beware of seven diseases at risk next year, with human influenza slated on top of the alarming list. Dr. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoen, Director-General of the ministry's Department of Disease Control, told journalists on Friday that the seven diseases at risk next year include human flu, dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease, conjunctivitis, food poisoning, leptospirosis and melioidosis. Dr. Suwannachai stressed that people should particularly protect themselves from human flu, as up to about 220,000 people could contract flu viral strains next year, with areas at high risk including Bangkok, and its peripheral provinces, as well as other provinces across the country where there are normally active migrating rates. Dr. Suwannachai stated that there have been about 189,870 human flu patients in Thailand so far this year, 54 of whom have died, advising people, particularly those in the areas at risk, to each have their mouths and noses covered with a handkerchief while coughing and sneezing, to wash their hands frequently and to avoid contacting with flu patients or to stay at home with proper protection and care while contracting the flu. Dr. Suwannachai also reported that there have been 50,033 dengue fever patients in Thailand so far this year, 59 of whom have died, suggesting people to destroy breeding grounds of mosquitoes, especially Aedes, to prevent outbreaks of dengue fever, as well as zika virus and chikungunya. Besides, the senior health official cautioned, people should be alert to prevent themselves from foot and mouth disease as about 94,000 patients have been foreseen in Thailand next year, from 68,084 this year with three deaths; conjunctivitis as about 146,000 patients have been anticipated in 2018, from 105,415 in 2017; food poisoning as about 100,000 patients have been estimated next year, from 101,000 this year with three deaths; leptospirosis as about 5,000 patients have been foreseen in 2018, from 3,257 in 2017 with 59 deaths; and melioidosis as about 3,140 patients have been reported this year with 68 deaths. The senior health official also warned people to be careful while travelling during festivities, especially the New Year and the Songkran Festivals, by limiting driving speeds and wearing helmets when riding on motorcycles, suggesting his department's hotline, 1422, for people who want to seek more useful information. (TNA)