On 5/8, a representative from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health did not disclose the number of Covid-19 cases in the city. However, the infectious disease surveillance system has not recorded any unusual fluctuations in case numbers. The city has not reported any severe cases; most patients experience mild symptoms, and some admitted due to underlying conditions have responded well to treatment and recovered.
Gene sequencing results from virus strains in July show that variants NB.1.8.1 (including sub-branches SV.1.1 and RK.1) and XFG.1.1 are dominant. This finding remains consistent with the previous surveillance period in the middle of last year.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), both NB.1.8.1 and XFG are Omicron sub-lineages circulating globally. They are classified as "variants under monitoring," but there is currently no evidence that they cause more severe illness than other variants.
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Covid-19 testing at Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases. Photo: Quynh Tran |
While Covid-19 remains stable, dengue fever cases continue to rise, following the pattern of the rainy season. The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) reported 995 cases last week, a 20% increase compared to the average of the previous four weeks. Since the beginning of the year, Ho Chi Minh City has recorded 23,481 dengue fever cases, an increase of nearly 24% over the same period last year. The three localities with the highest infection rates are An Nhon Tay, Chanh Phu Hoa, and Ngai Giao.
The rising trend of dengue fever is also observed across the entire southern region. According to the Pasteur Institute Ho Chi Minh City, the region recorded 53,428 dengue fever cases in the first 29 weeks of the year, a nearly 39% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City, and Tay Ninh are currently the localities with a high increase in cases.
Meanwhile, hand-foot-and-mouth disease remains largely stable. Last week, the city reported an additional 1,050 cases, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the year to 27,289.
Given the risk of multiple infectious diseases circulating during the rainy season, the Department of Health advises residents not to be complacent and to proactively implement preventive measures. For dengue fever, every family should regularly eliminate mosquito larvae, cover or overturn water-holding containers, clear waste, change water in flower vases weekly, sleep under mosquito nets, wear long-sleeved clothing, and use mosquito repellents. Individuals aged 4 and above should get vaccinated to reduce the risk of illness and severe progression.
To prevent hand-foot-and-mouth disease, people should follow the "three cleans" principle: clean hands, clean food and drink, and clean living environment. This includes frequent handwashing with soap, eating cooked food and drinking boiled water, and cleaning toys and surfaces children often touch. For Covid-19, the Department of Health recommends continuing to wear masks in public places, healthcare facilities, and on public transport, maintaining respiratory hygiene, frequent handwashing, and ensuring high-risk groups, such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions, receive all booster vaccine doses.
Residents are advised to seek medical attention immediately if they experience suspicious symptoms such as high fever, rash, or other unusual manifestations, and to avoid self-treating at home to minimize the risk of complications.
Le Phuong
