"Dengue fever cases are surging at an alarming rate," said Huynh Minh Chin, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, at the launch of the Mosquito and Larvae Eradication Campaign to prevent dengue fever and Chikungunya on 26/5.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the city recorded over 2,500 dengue fever cases in just the past week, a 38% increase compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks. Alarmingly, the number of deaths has risen to 15, compared to only two cases during the same period in 2024. Health officials warn that the number of cases will continue to rise as Ho Chi Minh City enters the peak of the epidemic season.
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A patient with severe dengue fever being treated at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases. Photo: Quynh Tran |
A patient with severe dengue fever being treated at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases. Photo: Quynh Tran
According to Dr. Chin, dengue fever and Chikungunya are both primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. While no Chikungunya cases have been recorded in Ho Chi Minh City yet, the disease has circulated in Vietnam before. There's no vaccine for Chikungunya, so the risk of its re-emergence in the city is entirely possible.
Doctors recommend preventing the diseases by avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. People should sleep under mosquito nets, wear long-sleeved clothing, and use mosquito repellent, especially during the day. They should also remove stagnant water containers where mosquitoes breed, such as bottles, old tires, gutters, and jars. Change the water in flower vases and pots at least once a week and cover water storage containers. Cooperate with authorities and health agencies in mosquito larvae eradication campaigns and mosquito spraying.
For dengue fever, a vaccine has been approved in Vietnam. It protects against all 4 types of the dengue virus and is available for people aged 4 and older without prior blood testing. If you experience fever, joint pain, rash, or other symptoms after returning from an affected area or suspect you may have contracted the disease, seek immediate medical attention for diagnosis and treatment.
Le Phuong
