Experts Warn Outbreaks of Dengue Fever in Mekong delta

Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine in Mekong delta city of Can Tho Dr. Huynh Minh Truc on June 8 said that there has been an increase in dengue fever cases. Since the beginning of the year, Can Tho City has 361 cases of dengue fever, an increase of 80% compared to the same period last year. Not only Can Tho City but also 20 southern cities and provinces have seen a leap of 120% in dengue fever cases in the first five months. According to the Department of Preventive Medicine in the Mekong delta province of An Giang, since the beginning of the year, the province has 1,290 cases of dengue fever, 160% higher than same period last year. In Dong Thap Province, the hospitals receive 50 cases per week meanwhile in previous rainy seasons, just around 5-8 cases of dengue fever a week have been reported. Soc Trang Province has 500 cases, an increase of 70% compared to same period last year. Director of Children Hospital in Can Tho City Dr. Tran Van De said that the region has seen an increase of 340% of kid patients compared same period last year. In the first five months of the year, the hospital has admitted 808 kids with dengue fever meanwhile the number of last year was 242. The cause of outbreak this year is that it is circle of the disease and the weather change is unpredictable and people’s awareness of killing mosquitoes is low. (Saigon Giai Phong – Liberated Saigon June 9)