VietNamNet Bridge – The number of dengue infections is increasing nationwide, especially in the Central and Central Highland provinces, reported the Health Ministry’s Preventative Medicine Department.

More than 23,000 people have been infected with dengue fever since the beginning of 2013, lower than 2012’s figure in the same period.

But Tran Dac Phu, Deputy Head of the Preventive Medicine Department, noted new Central and Central Highland cases of dengue fever have risen two to threefold compared to last year.

The Health Ministry has asked the Nha Trang Pasteur Institute to instigate intensive measures against the epidemic.

Central Khanh Hoa Province representatives reported more than 3,450 recorded infections as of July 10, a year-on year increase of 370% and including two fatalities.

A fatal case of a four-year-old child was also reported in Hoa Hiep Trung Commune in central Phu Yen Province’s Dong Hoa District.

In recent months, more than 30 child patients suspected of contracting dengue have been admitted to Phu Yen provincial Hospital every day. The Nha Trang Pasteur Institute believes there have been 1,350 infections since January 2013.

Dong Nai Province’s Preventive Medicine Centre Director Cao Trong Nguong said there is a surge in dengue patient numbers over the rainy season, with northern and central region migrant labourers overrepresented among the sufferers.

Meanwhile, Binh Phuoc Province’s Preventive Medicine Centre revealed nearly 100 suspected dengue patients are admitted to hospital every week. Two patients were killed by the disease.

Source: VOV