Thailand's Public Health Ministry is on high alert of the outbreak of epidemics, especially dengue fever, in the six provinces hit by last year's tsunami, local press reported Monday.

The ministry has encouraged its staff in the tsunami-devastated region to take measures to prevent such outbreak as risk remains high following the disaster.

Advice from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested outbreaks of disease through carrier animals or insects usually occurred about three months after a disaster, Health Deputy Permanent Secretary Part Boonyawongvirot was quoted by The Nation newspaper as saying.

He said officials in the six tsunami-hit provinces have so far prevented such outbreaks. However, excessive garbage and human wastes have reportedly been piled up at the 27 apes erected for tsunami survivors and their families.

"We are focusing on mosquitoes because they can spread dengue fever and malaria," Part said.

Local authorities have been urged by the ministry to prevent disease-carriers such as mosquitoes, flies and rats from multiplying.

In Prangnga, the worst-ravaged province by the tsunami, staff from Bangkok continue with their work to improve hygiene at the camps and burial sites of tsunami victims.

In addition, a mosquito research center will be set up in the province's Takua Pa district to see how the disaster had affected the breeding and life cycle of mosquitoes.

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2005)