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Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2861228/measles-jab-drive-launched-in-south
Measles jab drive launched in South
Five fatalities reported in three border provinces, where vaccination rates are traditionally low
PUBLISHED : 7 Sep 2024 at 21:01
WRITER: Apinya Wipatayotin
Health authorities have launched an intensive vaccination campaign following the deaths of five people in the latest outbreak of measles in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces.
Three of the five victims who died from the highly contagious disease over the past month in Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani were under age 15.
The other two victims were aged 32 and 43, said Dr Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), who described the situation as as severe and “very worrisome”.
From Jan 1 to Sept 2, a total of 4,408 people were suspected of having contracted measles, with 2,371 cases confirmed by laboratory tests. Among those infected, 371 developed pneumonia as a complication.
Dr Thongchai said measles is preventable with the appropriate vaccine.
Between 80% and 90% of the national population has been vaccinated against measles, but the far South has a vaccination rate of only 40–50%. In such a low-vaccination environment, one infected person can potentially spread the disease to at least 50 others...
Measles jab drive launched in South
Five fatalities reported in three border provinces, where vaccination rates are traditionally low
PUBLISHED : 7 Sep 2024 at 21:01
WRITER: Apinya Wipatayotin
Health authorities have launched an intensive vaccination campaign following the deaths of five people in the latest outbreak of measles in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces.
Three of the five victims who died from the highly contagious disease over the past month in Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani were under age 15.
The other two victims were aged 32 and 43, said Dr Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), who described the situation as as severe and “very worrisome”.
From Jan 1 to Sept 2, a total of 4,408 people were suspected of having contracted measles, with 2,371 cases confirmed by laboratory tests. Among those infected, 371 developed pneumonia as a complication.
Dr Thongchai said measles is preventable with the appropriate vaccine.
Between 80% and 90% of the national population has been vaccinated against measles, but the far South has a vaccination rate of only 40–50%. In such a low-vaccination environment, one infected person can potentially spread the disease to at least 50 others...