The risk of catching dengue fever on the Thai island of Phuket is higher than usual this year, health officials have warned. This viral infection is transmitted in daytime mosquito bites. It causes a fever for up to five days, intense headache, muscle and joint pain, gastro-intenstinal disturbances and a rash. Recovery can leave prolonged fatigue and depression.

Cases have been found earlier than usual in the Muang and Thalang districts. There are mroe of them in Seremban, south of Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia, and in the Jakarta, Padang and Surabaya areas of Indonesia. Travellers should use a repellant on exposed skin.