A health worker sprays chemicals to kill mosquitoes in Hà Nội's Đống Đa District. — Photo hanoimoi.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — Over 67,000 cases of dengue fever and three deaths were reported in the first five months of this year across the country, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Health.

Hà Nội has recorded 502 cases, but no deaths.

Hoàng Đức Hạnh, deputy director of the Hà Nội Health Department, said it was the peak season for the disease in Hà Nội and northern provinces due to the hot weather and heavy rain that create favourable conditions for mosquitoes to spread dengue fever.

Bắc Từ Liêm, Đống Đa, Thanh Trì and Hoàng Mai districts in Hà Nội have reported a heightened risk of the disease recently.

Bắc Từ Liêm District has recorded 72 cases of dengue fever.

In April, the city recorded about 10 cases of dengue fever per week, but this figure increased in May and the beginning of June, with about 70-80 cases per week.

According to Nguyễn Khắc Hiền, director of Hà Nội's Health Department, environmental pollution, high population density, an increasing number of construction sites and poor sanitation at temporary housing for labourers were also contributing factors

Hiền said each family needed to learn about disease prevention and ensure a clean environment to limit the spread of mosquitoes. — VNS