News Article
From Bankok Post -
HEADLINE:
Malaria threat to soldiers
DATELINE: January 10, 2000
BYLINE: Wassana Nanuam
The resurgence of malaria in border areas is causing major concern in the
military as it poses a serious health threat to soldiers posted to the areas.
Lt-Gen Preeyapas Nilubol, chief of Medical Department, said the situation in
Tak, along the Burmese border - especially Mae Ramat, Tha Song Yang,
Umphang and
Phop Phra - was particularly worrisome.
The situation on the border with Cambodia where refugees shelter was also a
problem.
He blamed the spread of the disease on refugees from Burma and Cambodia.
As long
as they remained there soldiers would be exposed to a grave health threat, he
said. The troops were also at fault for ignoring precautions against
infection,
despite warnings.
The department was testing a new drug called tafenoquine and results had
so far
been satisfactory, he said.
One dose of tafenoquine a month was about 97% effective and the department was
considering testing its use on a weekly basis.
Doxycycline is commonly used to treat malaria, but the drug becomes less
effective after being used for a time, he said.
It was also announced the spread of HIV infection in the army has declined
from
3.7% of soldiers in 1993 to 1.6% last year.
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