Dengue outbreaks feared in southern Vietnam

A dengue fever patient at the Cao Lanh Hospital in Dong Thap Province. Photo: An Lac

The number of dengue fever cases is on the rise even as major outbreaks are forecast in southern provinces, according to the Ho Chi Minh City-based Pasteur Institute.

So far this year 31,000 people have contracted the mosquito-borne disease in 20 southern cities and provinces, with 13 people dying, Phan Trong Lan, the institute’s director, said.

The number of cases is up 76 percent year-on-year.

“Dengue fever is spreading rapidly and dangerously with hotspots in HCMC, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, Ben Tre and Lam Dong,” Lan said.

According to the HCMC Preventive Health Center, around 200 people were hospitalized with dengue every week in July. It recorded 875 cases in July, 527 in June and 616 in May.

It has warned that infections could peak in September-October.