Dengue fever epidemic in Dien Chau, Quynh Luu and Hoang Mai town has high risk of spreading quickly.

The Department of Health held a meeting with Dien Chau district, Quynh Luu district and Hoang Mai town - 3 localities at risk of rapid spread of dengue fever. Photo: Thanh Chung

There have been 02 patients died from dengue fever

According to the report of Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control: As of September 7, 2022, Nghe An recorded 833 cases.dengue fever(ranked 2nd among provinces and cities in the North and North Central regions, after Hanoi). Of which, there are 174 imported cases and 659 domestic cases. The first domestic case was recorded in Thanh Vinh 2 hamlet, Nghi Quang commune, Nghi Loc on May 25, 2022.

Among the 833 cases of dengue fever, 2 patients died: 01 patient in Quynh Minh commune, Quynh Luu district (male, born in 1987); 01 patient in Dien Chau town, Dien Chau district (female, born in 1997)... These 02 deceased patients had dengue fever but were hospitalized late; when hospitalized, the disease progressed rapidly.

Number of dengue fever cases in localities:

In this year 2022, the translationdengue feverrecorded in 35 communes, wards and towns in 13 districts, towns and cities. There are 13 communes with outbreaks that have gone 14 days without recording any new cases. However, there are 3 communes with re-recorded outbreaks, including: Quynh Di ward (Hoang Mai town); Dinh Son commune (Anh Son); Dien Thinh commune (Dien Chau).

Dr. Chu Trong Trang - Deputy Director in charge of the Center for Disease Control of Nghe An province stated: In 2022, dengue fever has been recorded in many new localities, which were not recorded in previous years, appearing widely in both coastal and mountainous areas. In the first 6 days of September 2022 alone, the whole province recorded 162 internal cases, an average of 27 cases/day. The risk of dengue fever outbreak in Nghe An in the coming time is very high.

Currently, in Nghe An, there are two types of viruses circulating, D1 and D2, that cause dengue fever. Of these, type D1 is the most virulent of the four types, while type D2 spreads very quickly. The simultaneous circulation of these two types of viruses puts the dengue fever epidemic in Nghe An at risk of spreading and becoming more severe.

Development of domestic cases over the months of 2022:

According to the Nghe An Health Department, 3 localities with a high risk of dengue fever in the coming time are Dien Chau district, Quynh Luu district and Hoang Mai town...

In Dien Chau district, the number of dengue fever cases since the beginning of the year is 213 (33 imported cases; 180 domestic cases); 134 cases have recovered and been discharged from hospital, 78 cases are being treated, 01 case has died. The first domestic case was recorded in Dien Hong commune on June 18, 2022. Cases have been recorded in 29 villages/hamlets/blocks in 08 communes and towns (there are still 5 communes with new patients). Currently, the average number of new cases is 2.5 cases/day.

In Quynh Luu district, the number of dengue fever cases since the beginning of the year is 258 cases (26 imported cases; 232 domestic cases); 138 cases have recovered and been discharged from hospital, 119 cases are being treated, 01 death. The first case was recorded in Tien Thuy commune on July 11, 2022. Cases have been recorded in 11 communes. Of which, 04 communes have gone 14 days without recording new cases, 03 communes have new cases recorded in early September (Quynh Thang, Quynh Hung, Quynh Thach). Currently, the average number of new cases is 4.2 cases/day.

In Hoang Mai town, the number of dengue fever cases since the beginning of the year is 62 (12 imported cases; 50 domestic cases); 23 cases have recovered and been discharged from the hospital, 39 cases are being treated. The first case was recorded in Quynh Di ward on May 26, 2022. Cases have been recorded in 5 wards (Quynh Di, Quynh Phuong, Quynh Thien, Mai Hung, Quynh Loc).

Resolute, proactive, and synchronous in preventing and fighting the epidemic

Leaders of Quynh Luu Medical Center report on dengue fever prevention activities in the area. Photo: Thanh Chung

To prevent dengue fever, the Nghe An health sector and localities have actively implemented many solutions. However, it must be said that: Nghe An is a province with dengue fever epidemics circulating every year; traffic, geographical conditions, and climate are suitable for dengue fever vectors to enter, grow, and develop. In particular, people's awareness, lifestyle, and occupations have many favorable conditions for the development of vectors. In some localities, the involvement of authorities and social organizations is still not drastic. Local epidemic prevention campaigns and activities have not been maintained for a long time and regularly... These are the reasons why dengue fever in Nghe An has broken out.

At the meeting, representatives of the leaders of the 3 districts and towns clearly reported on the dengue fever epidemic situation in the locality; difficulties in epidemic prevention and control work... Representatives of the provincial Tropical Disease Center provided instructions on the treatment of dengue fever patients. Specialized departments of the Department of Health provided answers and instructions on the purchase of chemicals, drugs and supplies for epidemic prevention.

Dien Chau medical staff went door-to-door to educate people about dengue fever. Photo: Thanh Chung

Concluding the meeting, Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Director of Nghe An Department of Health highly appreciated the active participation in epidemic prevention of Dien Chau district, Quynh Luu and Hoang Mai town. However, the head of Nghe An Department of Health also pointed out: There are still certain subjectivity and loopholes in the work of preventing dengue fever. We need to be more determined, proactive, and take more synchronous actions to effectively prevent the epidemic.

The Director of Nghe An Department of Health requested Dien Chau, Quynh Luu districts and Hoang Mai town to complete the steering committee for epidemic prevention at all levels, headed by the Chairman of the People's Committee of the district and town; attach the responsibility of authorities at all levels and sectors to the results of dengue fever prevention and control work according to the provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases; direct the Department of Health to coordinate with the District Health Center to advise on the development of emergency response plans and solutions suitable to the development of the epidemic; allocate funds, ensure adequate supplies of drugs, chemicals, and medical equipment for dengue fever prevention and control.

Dien Chau, Quynh Luu districts and Hoang Mai town have directed communes, departments and organizations in the area to urgently carry out environmental sanitation activities, kill mosquito larvae in the community and at the same time organize spraying of chemicals to kill adult mosquitoes to prevent dengue fever in areas where cases have been recorded; commune health stations, schools, markets, crowded areas...

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh stated: Localities, departments, and people need to be more determined, proactive, and coordinated to effectively prevent dengue fever. Photo: Thanh Chung

Medical centers advise local authorities on implementing dengue fever prevention activities; monitor cases, detect new cases and new outbreaks; directly direct and guide health stations to deploy vector surveillance, monitor environmental treatment activities in areas around patients' homes; coordinate with local media and press agencies to communicate about dengue fever to people, recommend that people who have the disease or are suspected of having the disease must go to medical facilities for examination and treatment.

The Director of Nghe An Department of Health requested that medical facilities in the area strictly comply with the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of dengue fever; review and supplement medicines, supplies and equipment for admission and treatment of dengue fever patients in accordance with regulations of the Ministry of Health; coordinate with district medical centers to report cases, collect samples and test all cases coming for examination or hospitalization according to clinical symptoms and epidemiological factors.

The People's Committees of communes, wards and towns shall strengthen the steering committees for epidemic prevention and control at all levels, headed by the Chairman of the People's Committee; allocate funds for dengue fever prevention and control; strengthen the supervision, promotion and inspection of epidemic prevention and control activities at localities and establishments; promptly reward and punish units, individuals and organizations according to the assigned epidemic prevention and control results; inspect and strictly handle individuals, units and organizations that intentionally do not follow dengue fever prevention and control instructions, creating conditions for the disease to spread locally according to regulations.

The Commune Health Station actively advises the Commune People's Committee to deploy epidemic prevention work; monitor investigation vectors, monitor infected cases, report new cases to higher-level professional agencies; advise local authorities to establish a team to spray chemicals to kill mosquitoes based on the level and scale of local outbreak handling; mobilize departments and organizations to participate in propaganda and directly participate in mosquito larvae/larva extermination activities to prevent disease... widely communicate the spraying schedule, instruct households and agencies to coordinate in preparing for spraying (cleaning, covering and protecting food, ornamental birds and fish, pets...), arrange for someone to stay home to open the door during the chemical spraying./.