THE Thai Government has warned that a fashion craze for black leggings could be putting teenagers at risk of catching potentially deadly dengue fever.

 

"I'm worried about how people dress, especially teenagers," said Deputy Public Health Minister Phansiri Kulanartsiri, noting that the mosquitoes that transmit the disease are attracted by dark colours.

 

"The mosquitoes can bite through the leggings' thin fabric, so those who wear them are at greater risk of being infected with dengue.

 

"It's better to wear light colours and wear pants that can protect against mosquitoes, such as jeans."

 

Thailand has seen a spike in dengue cases, with 43 deaths and more than 45,000 infections in the first seven months of this year, according to the Government.

 

Many of the victims were young people.

 

http://www.perthnow....u-1225903241454

 

"I'm worried about how people dress, especially teenagers," said Deputy Public Health Minister Phansiri Kulanartsiri, noting that the mosquitoes that transmit the disease are attracted by dark colours.

 

This belongs to the category "Only in Thailand". Dengue fever is a big problem everywhere in South East Asia (including places like Singapore) and the only way to fight it (at least for now in the absence of vaccine) is to disinfect water reservoirs

and surrounding areas. Thailand used to do a reasonable job in this respect but no more.

Wait for Culture Ministry to pronounce that Yellow shirts is much bettr protection than Red ones and DSI declaring Man in Black the major source of Denger fever .

Are Dengue fever cases particularly seasonal in Thailand?