The Department of Medical Services (DMS) has warned those who develop flu-like symptoms to check to ensure they have not come down with dengue fever.
It is getting harder to distinguish between the Omicron strain of Covid 19, dengue and the common flu, at least in the early stages, experts say.
Only one in two people exhibit symptoms from Omicron now, with 50% of them developing a sore throat and cough while 30-40% run a fever and 10% experience diarrhoea, said Dr Somsak Akkasilp, director-general of the DMS.
Therefore, anyone who develops flu-like symptoms should take an antigen test. If they test positive, they are advised to closely monitor their symptoms for 48 hours and seek professional help if their condition worsens.
The Disease Control Department (DDC) previously advised people to protect themselves from mosquitoes during daylight hours amid fears of a widespread dengue fever outbreak this year.
DDC director-general, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, said dengue cases are likely to explode this year following two years of relatively few cases due to curbs to contain Covid-19 infections.
He said the number of dengue cases this year will soar to 85,000, up from 9,956 cases last year, with the peak coming in July with about 13,800 cases.
Meanwhile, Thailand logged 24,792 new Covid-19 cases and 63 more fatalities during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported yesterday.
Bangkok had the most new cases at 3,171, followed by 1,386 in Chon Buri, 1,324 in Nakhon Si Thammarat, 971 in Nonthaburi, 829 in Samut Sakhon, 813 in Samut Prakan, 645 in Pathum Thani, 617 in Ayutthaya, 532 in Nakhon Ratchasima and 519 in Nakhon Pathom.