The spread of dengue fever is alarming in Viet Nam and the number of infected cases may increase in the year-end months, according to Viet Nam's Ministry of Health.

The dengue epidemic occurred with many reported cases this year and though winter is coming, the number does not seem to be decreasing, said Deputy Head of Bach Mai Hospital's Infectious Disease Department, Do Duy Cuong.

Fast urbanisation and a high volume of rain created favourable conditions for mosquitoes, which contributed to the increase of dengue cases, said the ministry.

Prolonged high temperature and high humidity also contributed to development of the disease, said Cuong.

There are more than 51,000 dengue cases reported this year nationwide, including 32 deaths, the health ministry reported.

Among those cases, nearly 79 per cent are children under 15 and up to 83 per cent are female.

In addition, scientific data suggest that an increased incidence of dengue fever corresponded to periods of higher temperatures driven by strong El Nino weather.

A common problem

One recent estimate indicates 390 million dengue fever infections per year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

There is no specific treatment for dengue and severe dengue, said the WHO.

The Health Prevention Sector suggest locals should implement drastic measures to prevent dengue epidemic.

"It is critical that every person knows how to protect himself, simply by destroying mosquito-breeding habitats, ensuring good sanitation for the living environment and using mosquito-repellents such as lotions or sprays on a daily basis," Viet Nam Health Environment Management Agency Deputy Director, Nguyen Thi Lien Huong said.

El Nino is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, it occurs every two to seven years.

In Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, El Nino generally spurs hotter temperatures, which helps mosquitoes thrive.

Viet Nam is among the countries which are forecast to be impacted most by the hot weather from now until December, said a report of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Dengue fever may lead to rare heart condition

Southern Soc Trang General Hospital yesterday reported that doctors at the hospital managed to stabilise a patient's condition, who suffered cardiac tamponade – a rare medical condition – caused by dengue fever.

Tran Tuan Quoc, age 24, was on his third day of treatment for dengue fever when he went into shock and showed signs of cardiac arrest. After hours of intensive care, the hospital's doctors were able to stabilise his condition.

Head doctor of the hospital's Department of Intensive Care Mach Van Quang said the patient's condition was deadly because the Dengue fever had caused blood and other fluids to build up preventing the heart from functioning properly.

Dengue fever may lead to rare heart condtion

Southern Soc Trang General Hospital yesterday reported that doctors at the hospital managed to stabilise a patient's condition, who suffered cardiac tamponade – a rare medical condition – caused by Dengue fever.

Tran Tuan Quoc, age 24, was on his third day of treatment for Dengue fever when he went into shock and showed signs of cardiac arrest. After hours of intensive care, the hospital's doctors were able to stabilise his condition.

Head doctor of the hospital's department of intensive care Mach Van Quang said the patient's condition was deadly because the Dengue fever had caused blood and other fluids to build up preventing the heart from functioning properly. 

VNS