HFMD infections have risen by 49 percent compared to the same period last year, with 967 hospitalisations – a 15 percent increase year on year. The number of cases has climbed significantly since week 8, peaking in week 20 with 916 cases, a 40 percent rise over the previous four-week average.
Eight localities have reported the highest HFMD caseloads, including Districts 1, 5, 7, 12, Binh Tan, Binh Chanh, Tan Binh, and Thu Duc City. The disease, caused by enteroviruses and spread via the fecal-oral route, primarily affects children under five and can lead to widespread outbreaks.
Meanwhile, dengue fever cases have surged to 7,690 as of May 18, up by 134 percent from last year. Of those, 112 cases were classified as severe, accounting for about 1.5 percent of the total.
Notably, infections among people over 15 years old were 1.5 times higher than among younger patients – a reversal of typical trends.
The HCM City Centre for Disease Control has warned of a continued rise in dengue cases as the rainy season approaches, creating ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, the disease’s primary vectors.
Residents are urged to take preventive measures, including covering and cleaning water containers, eliminating stagnant water, and using mosquito nets, repellents, and insecticides.
Health authorities also advise against self-treatment. Suspected cases should be promptly reported to healthcare providers, and communities are encouraged to support mosquito larva eradication efforts.
