Thailand’s slowly growing 2018 chikungunya outbreak took a dramatic leap in December. In that span, the number of reported cases jumped from almost 540 to approximately 2,140.
Just over 1,600 new patients contracted chikungunya from November to mid-December. Potential further chikungunya cases are waiting to be confirmed.
Phuket Public Health Office Chief Tanit Sermkaew discussed the rising danger with The Phuket News. “Chikungunya virus infections are increasing in areas where people live close together, especially in densely populated areas in Rassada, Wichit and Talad Yai (in Phuket Town), as well as in Rawai.”