Summer heat shortens life span of mosquitoes

BANGKOK, May 8 (TNA) - An entomologist says the summer heat in Thailand has shorten life span of mosquitoes while the number of dengue fever patients stands below 10,000 with two deaths. Associate professor Supatra Thongrungkiat of Mahidol University’s Department of Medical Entomology said that the situation has become worse due to drought in Thailand and has affected the growth of mosquitoes. Simultaneously, official statistics released by the Public Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department showed that the number of dengue fever patients from this January 1st to May 1st stood at almost 10,000 nationwide, representing 15.28 per cent per 100,000 people. Two patients died during the period. Most patients were found in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket followed by Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Rayong and Surin. (TNA)