The Ministry of Health's June health report reveals a significant rise in infectious diseases nationwide. Since mid-12/2025, Vietnam has recorded nearly 55,000 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease, resulting in 10 deaths. This figure represents an almost twofold increase from the 28,081 cases reported during the same period last year, which saw no deaths. From 18/5 to 18/6 alone, health authorities identified nearly 9,900 new patients.

Dengue fever cases also increased, with over 55,000 infections reported since the beginning of the year, a 1,7-fold rise from 32,500 cases last year. The number of dengue-related deaths increased by two.

Master of Science, Doctor Vo Hai Son, Deputy Director of the Department of Disease Prevention, noted that disease patterns are changing. Cases have remained high from late 2025 into 2026, deviating from the previous trend of gradual decline. The hot, humid weather, coupled with prolonged rain, creates an ideal environment for Aedes mosquitoes to breed. Furthermore, the prevalence of the DENV-2 serotype elevates the risk of severe illness in patients.

Doctors at Hospital for Tropical Diseases, TP HCM, treat dengue fever patients. Photo: Quynh Tran

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), climate change and rapid urbanization have expanded dengue fever's reach to areas previously with low incidence, notably some northern provinces.

Beyond these two major diseases, malaria cases increased by 30 compared to the same period. For hepatitis, the country recorded over 9,500 cases since the beginning of the year, with hepatitis B accounting for most. The southern region is currently the epicenter, concentrating nearly 60% of the total patient load nationwide.

Amidst the overlapping epidemics, the Ministry of Health urged localities to tighten surveillance, thoroughly manage outbreaks immediately upon detection, and prepare treatment resources to minimize deaths. Border gate units are also focused on monitoring the risk of Hanta virus or Ebola entry.

Conversely, other infectious diseases such as Covid-19, measles, viral encephalitis, and rabies are showing signs of cooling down. Last month, Vietnam recorded no new cases of diphtheria, cholera, or avian influenza strains A(H5N1) and A(H9N2).

Le Nga