Dengue fever epidemic is complicated, the Prime Minister issued an official dispatch to strengthen prevention and control.

The main measure to prevent dengue fever is to kill mosquitoes and larvae.

On July 25, 2022, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam signed Official Dispatch 665/CD-TTg on strengthening the prevention and control of dengue fever and other infectious diseases.

The full text of the Telegram is as follows:

Currently, the dengue fever epidemic situation is complicated in countries around the world and in the region, Vietnam is in the endemic area. Dengue fever is an acute infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes, there is no specific treatment or vaccine to prevent the disease. The main preventive measure is to kill mosquitoes and larvae. Since the beginning of 2022, the country has recorded higher cases of infection and death than the same period in 2021 and there is a risk of spreading in many provinces and cities, especially in the southern provinces and some central provinces. Along with the increase in dengue fever, some other diseases such as seasonal flu and hand, foot and mouth disease are also increasing seasonally.

To proactively control, prevent and combat infectious diseases, focusing on strengthening the prevention and control of dengue fever, and not allowing overlapping epidemics, the Prime Minister requests:

1. People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities:

a) Propaganda and mobilize people to vigorously implement the campaign to eradicate mosquitoes and larvae in the area. Establish community epidemic prevention teams to propagate, monitor and guide the implementation of disease prevention and control measures according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health; proactively prepare and arrange sufficient means, materials and funds for disease prevention and control, especially dengue fever; sanction organizations and individuals who do not implement disease prevention and control measures according to the provisions of law;

b) Closely monitor the situation, detect early, provide timely emergency treatment to patients, minimize deaths, and thoroughly handle outbreaks as soon as they are detected. The Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-run city shall resolutely direct the work of disease prevention and control, especially dengue fever, and shall be responsible to the Prime Minister for the work of disease prevention and control in the area.

2. The Ministry of Health directs, guides and inspects localities on monitoring, detecting, handling outbreaks, preventive measures and treatment of dengue fever and other epidemics; directs localities to ensure adequate means, supplies, equipment, medicines and infusions for disease prevention and control.

3. The Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency, Nhan Dan Newspaper and other press agencies closely coordinate with the Ministry of Health to disseminate and provide complete and timely information on the epidemic situation and measures to prevent and control the epidemic so that people can proactively and actively prevent and control the epidemic, and immediately go to medical facilities for examination and treatment when showing signs of illness.

4. The Ministry of Education and Training directs educational institutions to actively participate in the campaign to kill mosquitoes and larvae in schools and communities, wash hands with soap and implement other measures to prevent and control infectious diseases according to the instructions of the health sector.

5. The Ministry of Finance ensures sufficient funding for disease prevention, especially dengue fever, in accordance with regulations, economically, effectively, and avoiding waste.

6. Propose that the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnam Veterans Association, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union, the Vietnam Farmers' Association, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and its member organizations coordinate with authorities at all levels to proactively and actively mobilize people to participate in activities to kill mosquitoes and larvae to prevent and control dengue fever and other infectious diseases according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health./.