Dengue fever on the rise

Dengue fever has spread rapidly in several southern, central and central highland provinces. The number of infected people hospitalized has increased sharply.

In southern Kien Giang province, nearly 800 cases of dengue fever – 3 of them fatal- have been reported with children comprising half of the total. In July alone, there were 155 diagnosed patients, 23 more than in June.

In central highland Kon Tum province, 322 people have contracted the disease in 36 communes and districts. July’s infection rate is three times what it was a year ago. The provincial preventive health centre said that the rainy season will boost populations of mosquitoes, which are the main carriers of the disease.

In central Quang Tri province, although no fatalities have been reported for the past few days, the number of infections has increased sharply. In July, 32 were confirmed, more than the total number of cases in the first half of the year.

Quang Tri province’s preventive health centre sent doctors to halt local outbreaks and co-ordinate with local authorities to eradicate mosquito larvae and conduct mosquito survey in areas reporting infections.

According to health experts, the increase in the number of dengue fever cases can be attributed to local negligence in carrying out preventive measures.