A dengue fever patient receives treatment. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam has so far recorded more than 145,500 cases of dengue fever, including 53 deaths, mainly in the southern region, according to the Ministry of Health.

The number of infected cases witnessed a 3.3-fold rise, while the number of fatalities rose by 39 compared to the same period last year.

Dengue fever cases are also increasing in Hà Nội.

The Hà Nội Centre for Disease Control reported that the city has recorded 170 cases of dengue fever over the past week, up 14.1 per cent compared to the previous week, mainly in the districts of Thanh Trì, Phú Xuyên, Ba Đình, Đống Đa, Hà Đông, Thường Tín and Bắc Từ Liêm.

The new infections have brought the total number of dengue cases in Hà Nội to 778 from the beginning of the year, an increase of over 2 times compared to the same period last year. No deaths have been recorded.

Doctor Trần Thị Hoài, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases in Đức Giang General Hospital, said dengue fever in Hà Nội was not as widely spread as in the southern region.

However, the hospital had received many severe cases.

Severe dengue can result in shock, internal bleeding, and even death.

There is no vaccine for dengue fever and no specific treatment. The main and most effective preventive measures are to kill mosquitoes and mosquito larvae and prevent mosquito bites.

The Ministry of Health has requested localities take measures to combat dengue fever, such as cleaning and killing larvae, especially in high-risk areas.

The ministry also asked local authorities to pay more attention to fighting the disease along with raising awareness and calling on the participation of people and organisations. — VNS