Vietnam Sees Steep Increase in Cases of Dengue Fever

Vietnam has recorded 57,880 cases of dengue fever since the beginning of the year, including three deaths, representing a 3.3 fold rise in comparison with the same period last year. According to a report released by the General Department of Preventive Medicine, the highest number of dengue fever cases were reported in HCM City, up 3.3 times, Khanh Hoa, up 7.9 times, and Ba Ria Vung Tau, 5.8 times. Doctor Nguyen Quang Hung, deputy director of HCM City’s health department,  said relevant agencies, especially local residents, should raise their awareness on what preventive measures to take to bring the disease under control. At present, there is no specific vaccine or treatment for dengue fever. Local residents have been advised to regularly clean up their water containers in order limit the development of mosquito larvaes, noted Mr Hung. In Ba Ria Vung Tau, dengue fever cases remain on the rise with there being a high risk of a possible epidemic in the future despite the dry season arriving in the southern provinces. The central city of Danang has recorded 2,250 cases of dengue fever since the beginning of the year, a 2.5 fold increase against the same time last year. The highest number of dengue fever cases was focused in the districts of Hai Chau, Thanh Khe, and Son Tra. The number of cases is predicted to surge in the near future due to a combination of rainy, hot, and wet weather. Since the beginning of the year, Hanoi reported 224 cases of dengue fever across 29 districts and towns, as well as in 124 communes and wards. However, no deaths have been reported so far. Currently, ten cases of dengue fever are being treated with the number of infected cases decreasing sharply. The Hanoi Centre for Disease Control urged districts, towns, and communes in the city to take environmental sanitation measures by killing mosquitoes and mosquito larvaes. (VOV May 17)