Risk of hand, foot and mouth disease, dengue fever high

May 30, 2014 | 09:45

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The Ministry of Health yesterday warned about a serious risk of dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease outbreaks in summer if drastic prevention and containment measures are not taken.

Medical staff examine children at Paediatrics Hospitals No. 1 in HCM City. The health sector has warned of a serious risk of dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease outbreaks in the summer. – VNA/VNS Photo Duong Ngoc

An average of 100,000 cases of dengue are recorded every year in Viet Nam and 100 people die of the mosquito-borne disease, according to Truong Dinh Bac, deputy head of the ministry's Department of Preventive Medicine.

This year more than 9,400 cases have been reported in 42 cities and provinces, including six deaths in HCM City and the southern provinces of Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, and Ca Mau.

Most of the cases occurred in the southern and central regions, which respectively accounted for 83.4 per cent and 13.2 per cent.

The number of cases is now on the rise since the outbreaks usually begin in May when the rains start, Bac told a press briefing in HCM City yesterday.

Eradication of mosquitoes and their larvae and emptying stagnant water containers and flower pots are among the main measures to prevent the disease, he said.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is also entering its peak period, with a significant increase in the number of cases in HCM City (29 per cent), Ba Ria-Vung Tau (27.8 per cent), Ca Mau (18.7 per cent), Lam Dong (18.6 per cent), and Soc Trang (8.4 per cent) incomparison with with the same period last year.

A total of 24,730 cases have been reported in 62 cities and provinces, with two people dying in the southern Long An and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces so far this year.

The number of measles cases has declined over the last few weeks, with only a few patients being admitted every week at the Central Hospital of Pediatrics, according to the Treatment and Examination Management Department.

More than 4,660 cases have so far been reported across the country, with 145 people dying of the disease and related illnesses.

VNS

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