Vietnam Yet to Contain Dengue Fever Outbreak, 18 Deaths YTD

The dengue fever outbreak in Vietnam has spread more rapidly in the past three months, with the whole country reporting over 29,600 cases as of end August, including 18 deaths, local media reported from a press conference on the issue held in Hanoi on September 8. Hanoi has reported 1,537 dengue fever cases in the year to date, a 3.5-fold increase from 2014, according to the municipal Department of Health. Local hospitals noted on the rising number of dengue cases in July and August and projected that complications might persist until the year end. No death has been reported yet. Hanoi health authorities said that each year the city allocates between VND6 billion and VND9 billion for dengue fever prevention. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City reported over 6,104 cases, up 47% on year, the Health Department said, warning that unpredictable weather could quicken the viral infection spread by mosquitoes. Normally dengue outbreak peaks in September and October when the hot weather is accompanied by regular rain, but this year dengue cases have been reported from the beginning of the year and could last till December. During the 2008-2010 period, the country reported an average of 100,000 dengue fever cases including 100 fatal cases each year. In 2014, Vietnam marked the sharpest decrease in the number of dengue fever cases, which were at 30,000 with fewer than 30 fatal cases. (Hanoi Moi – New Hanoi Sept 9 p5, vietnamplus.vn Sept 9, vov.vn Sept 9)