Ranong on special alert for contagious diseases

[News Bandit]

RANONG, Aug 23 - Thai and Myanmar health officials in Thailand’s southern province of Ranong are working closely to fight against widespread malaria and dengue fever, a Thai health official said Thursday.

Dr Thongchai Kiratihattayakorn, a senior health official in Ranong, said continuous efforts by health officials from both countries have been carried out after it was found that the situation of the two contagious diseases had worsened. 

Health officials have been dispatched to educate people on both sides of the border, Ranong in Thailand and Kaw Thong in Myanmar, on how to prevent the spread of malaria and dengue fever.

They also sprayed houses with disinfectant and provided blood tests to people.

According to the latest report, a malaria outbreak has worsened in Kraburi district on the Thai-Myanmar border where more than 300 people have been infected with the disease.

In Ranong last year, a total of 1,344 people, 857 Myanmar nationals, were infected with malaria and most of them were in Kraburi district.

The Public Health Ministry on Wednesday declared it would permanently eliminate malaria in 80 per cent of Thailand by the year 2020.

Five malaria-prone provinces are Tak, Ranong, Mae Hong Son, Kanchanaburi and Trat. The first four provinces border Myanmar, which the last borders Cambodia. (MCOT online news)     

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