Locals participate in the prevention of dengue fever by cleaning and removing water containers. Photo courtesy of HCDC

HCM CITY — HCM City has recorded more than 8,500 cases of dengue fever so far this year, an increase of 131 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to the HCM City Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mid-June every year marks a sharp increase in the number of dengue fever cases in the city and begins the peak epidemic season.

A total of 766 hospitalised cases were recorded between May 1 and June 12, including around 420 cases transferred from other provinces.

More than 290 severe cases are currently being treated at hospitals in the city.

No fatalities have been reported.

In order to proactively control the epidemic and protect public health, the city Department of Health has issued early warnings about the risk of dengue fever outbreaks.

Amid the rising cases of dengue fever, the city's People’s Committee has issued a plan for peak months for disease prevention and control in the city from now until the end of July.

The plan requires the entire political system and all walks of life to simultaneously take action to address risk points, carry out weekly mosquito larvae eradication campaigns, strengthen community surveillance, and communicate behaviour change.

As part of a series of actions, the 15th ASEAN Dengue Prevention and Control Day was held on June 15, with a call on the community to raise awareness of disease prevention.

The health sector has coordinated with departments and local authorities to launch a campaign to clean up the environment, eliminate breeding grounds of mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever, and reduce mosquito density.

It also mobilised collaborators, organisations, volunteers and locals to participate in activities to remove water containers in households and communities.

It assigned three children’s hospitals and the Tropical Diseases Hospital in the city to re-train medical staff on the Ministry of Health’s guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of dengue fever, especially warning signs of dengue fever and severe dengue cases.

Training on recognising warning signs, transferring and treating dengue fever and ensuring adequate supplies, chemicals, infusion fluids, and blood are also implemented to minimise severe illness and deaths. — VNS