A doctor is taking care of a dengue patient (Illustrative image. Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Drastic and synchronous
measures are needed to in Vietnam, heard a
on July 24.
Director of the
under the Ministry of Health Tran Dac Phu said Vietnam has recorded an annual average
of 50,000-100,000 dengue fever cases in recent years, with 50-100 fatalities.
In the first seven months of 2017, the country
reported 58,888 cases. Of which, 50,496 were hospitalised, up 12.6 percent
compared to the same period of 2016 and 17 deaths, up from 14.
At present, 61 cities and provinces have
recorded dengue infections, mostly in Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Binh Duong,
Tra Vinh and Tay Ninh, he said.
Given the situation, the health ministry has sent
seven inspection teams to hotspots, launched campaigns to kill mosquito larva and
opened treatment training courses for health workers, he added.
Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien suggested
increasing vigilance over diseases, including dengue fever, during and after
the flood season.
The main priority now is raising public
awareness of dengue prevention and keeping the living environment clean, she
said.
Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes
carrying the virus. Its symptoms include high fever, headaches and joint aches,
which can be confused with symptoms of other diseases.
The disease has potentially dangerous
complications such as shock, respiratory failure, coagulation, liver damage and
altered mental status, and can be fatal.
According to the World Health Organisation,
dengue is spreading in many countries worldwide. Each year, worldwide, about 20
million people contract dengue and some 500,000 are hospitalised.-VNA
Source: VietnamPlus
