The Health Ministry will intensify the spraying of mosquito-killing chemicals in high-risk areas as the dengue fever epidemic shows signs of worsening, especially in Hanoi. 

Dengue patients are being treated at hospital 

At a meeting on combating dengue fever in Hanoi on August 10, Director of the Preventive Medicine Department Tran Dac Phu reported that 80,555 cases of dengue fever had been reported in the country so far this year with 24 deaths. More cases are expected as it is now the peak of the disease season.  

Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien expressed concerns at the rising trend of dengue fever in Hanoi despite drastic efforts made by the health sector.

Hanoi ranks second after Ho Chi Minh City in the number of dengue patients with 13,900 cases as of August 9. 

The Preventive Medicine Department stressed that the main cause of the spread of dengue fever is the early arrival of summer this year with higher temperature and rainfalls than in previous years. The awareness about disease prevention among population and authorities is low due to the absence of the epidemic for years. 

The department has set up three mobile taskforces to deal with the dengue epidemic. The Health Ministry will send experts from the Central to help four Hanoi districts hardest hit by the epidemic and dispatch six teams to inspect anti-epidemic work in eight hot-bed provinces. 

In particular, the health sector will mobilize the cooperation of other branches and sectors such as the police, the army, the construction industry, the natural resources and environment sector and the education sector to clean up the environment and kill mosquitos at construction sites, public areas as well as at houses and schools.

Hanoi works to minimize dengue fatalities

The Hanoi Department of Health is intensifying measures to reduce the number of fatalities caused by mosquito-borne dengue fever – which is likely to cause more infections due to hot and rainy weather.

As of August 8, the capital city reported 13,274 dengue infections, including five deaths. 

Director of the Hanoi’s Preventive Medicine Department Nguyen Nhat Cam said the fifth victim of the disease was a 36-year-old woman living in Hoang Mai.

Precincts of Hoang Mai, Dong Da, Thanh Xuan, Ha Dong, Cau Giay, and Hai Ba Trung, and districts of Thanh Tri, Thanh Oai, Thuong Tin, and Hoai Duc made up 90 percent of cases.

Given the risk of the disease outbreak expanding, the municipal health sector has stepped up measures to ensure the environment is hygiene, kill mosquito larva and focus on treatment of patients.

The city has increased forces to prevent dengue across 269 communes and wards.

From August 14 to the month’s end, the Preventive Medicine Department will spray chemical at the precincts of Dong Da and Hai Ba Trung, and some wards in Ba Dinh, and Hoan Kiem.

Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no specific treatment for dengue and vaccination options are limited.

Patients who develop a sudden high fever of 39-40 degrees Celsius, lasting 2-7 days and with symptoms of headaches, tenderness and skin rashes should visit a hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

VNA