Health Ministry Sets Up "war Rooms" To Eradicate Chikungunya Within 3 Months

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Health ministry sets up "war rooms" to eradicate Chikungunya within 3 months

TRANG, June 6 (TNA) - In an attempt to eradicate the fast-spreading mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus which has ravaged southern provinces from spreading to other parts of Thailand, the Public Health Ministry has established ‘war rooms’ at the Disease Control Department in Bangkok and in the southern province of Trang to end the disease within three months, Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said on Saturday.

Accompanied by several senior ministry officials, Mr. Witthaya held a meeting with senior concerned officials tasked with controlling the virus and also handed over mosquito-repellent to them so that it could be distributed to health officials assigned to all 14 southern provinces.

A total of 24,029 Chikungunya victims have been diagnosed this year (until June 2), mostly in the South, said Mr. Witthaya. However, no deaths were reported.

As the virus is spreading to the upper Southern region, the ministry has stepped up its campaigns to eradicate striped-mosquitoes which carry the virus, trying to eliminate it within three months.

Those with Chikungunya will have fever, swelling of joints, stiffness, muscular pain, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and rash.

Chikungunya, a name from the Makonde language in Mozambique, was first identified in southeastern Africa. Its symptoms are similar to dengue but it causes fewer fatalities.

Dr. Praj Boonyawongvirot, Permanent Secretary for Public Health, said that Songkhla Hospital has been assigned to produce an herbal mosquito-repellent lotion and distribute it to households at no cost. (TNA)

General News : Last Update : 16:14:47 6 June 2009 (GMT+7:00)

-- TNA 2009/06/06