NONTHABURI, Dec 25 (TNA) — The Public Health Ministry will organize its ‘Wing Lai Yung’ (run to repel mosquitoes) running event to raise public awareness on the danger of dengue hemorrhagic fever and chikungunya.
Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said the 5-kilometer running event would be held at the Public Health Ministry in Nonthaburi province and its regional health offices from 4pm to 6pm on Jan 10.
“People should be alerted to solve the problems before the next rainy season,” he said.
According to him, 125,235 people had dengue hemorrhagic fever and 131 of them died this year. Most dead patients were 5-14 years old. The number is expected to rise to 147,361 next year because some patients will continue to suffer the disease and the disease is spreading in the country.
This year there were 11,046 chikungunya patients. None of them died.
Dr Suwannachai Watanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said that the cost for the organization of the running event would be only six digits as participants would not be required to wear a shirt newly designed for the event. The National Health Security Office and local administrative organizations would pay for the organization, he said. (TNA)
