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There
are a variety of infectious diseases in Thailand, with varying degrees of
severity. Taking some general precautions can reduce exposure to such
diseases. General advice on infectious diseases and risks to travelers can be found at http://www.who.int/ith/en/.
Some of the communicable diseases of
current concern in Thailand
are:
Sexually
transmitted diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases are passed from person to person through unsafe
sexual practices. The risk of infection can be reduced by avoiding casual and
unprotected sexual intercourse, and by use of condoms. Examples of sexually
transmitted diseases are hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS and gonorrhea.
Malaria
Malaria risk exists throughout the year in rural, especially forested and
hilly, areas of the whole country, mainly towards the international borders.
There is no risk in cities and the main tourist resorts (e.g. Bangkok, Chiangmai, Pattaya, Phuket, Samui).
You should use repellents and treated bed nets if you are going out into the
mountainous areas and plan to overnight. General malaria advice for travelers
visiting other countries, as well as Thailand, can be found at http://www.who.int/ith/countries/tha/en
Specific advice and statistics for Thailand
are detailed on the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand website at http://eng.moph.go.th/SpecificHealth/malaria/malaria.htm
Following
visits to areas with possible malaria risk, any episode of fever should be
considered possibly of malaria origin. A visit should be made to a district
malaria office, or nearest provincial or district hospital for free blood
examination and rapid treatment. Contact the Tropical
Disease Hospital
in Bangkok (Tel:
662-246-9000 ext. 414, 415, 662-246-0321) for more information.
For the
latest information on the extent of malaria transmission in a specific area
of the country, please contact the Bureau of Vector Borne Diseases, Ministry
of Public Health, Tiwanon Road Nonthaburi,
Thailand 11000 (Tel: 662-590-3145, 662-590-3132 Fax : 662-591-8422)
Dengue
Dengue is common everywhere in Thailand
below altitudes of 600 meters, including Bangkok. Prevalence is higher in southern Thailand.
There is no prophylaxis for dengue, so precautions should be taken to ensure
that mosquitoes won’t bite, especially during the daylight hours (repellents
are best bet). Transmission of dengue has much to do with how residents of a
particular area take care to keep dry any objects that could collect water
and serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes. You can find more general dengue information in the WHO Fact Sheet http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs117/en/index.html.
For
current statistics and trends prior to your trip to Thailand please contact Office of Dengue
Control, the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand.
They can be reached by
Tel: 662-590-3102-3, 662-590-3106-7 Fax: 662-591 8433
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