Central region faces risk of dengue fever and Zika outbreak

Since the beginning of September, dengue fever has shown signs of increasing again in some localities in the Central region.

Dengue fever is on the rise again in the central provinces with nearly 16,000 cases, a three-fold increase over the same period last year. This is also the area that recorded 3 out of 4 Zika cases nationwide.

Currently, the erratic weather conditions are favorable for mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever and Zika to breed and develop, so the risk of dengue fever and Zika outbreaks is very high. Therefore, the Central localities are implementing many proactive solutions to respond to the complicated developments of dengue fever and Zika, preventing the disease from spreading widely.

Dengue fever outbreak at risk in Central Vietnam

In the past week alone, the entire region recorded 415 cases of dengue fever, an increase of nearly 18% compared to the previous week, bringing the total number of dengue fever cases in 11 provinces in the Central region since the beginning of the year to nearly 16,000 cases, 3 times higher than the same period last year, including 2 deaths.

Khanh Hoa province is the locality with the highest number of dengue fever cases in the region, with more than 3,900 cases. This is also the locality with 2 deaths. Next is Binh Dinh province with more than 3,340 cases, Da Nang city with nearly 2,500 cases.

Mr. Nguyen Tam Lam, Head of the Department of Infectious Disease Control and Biological Vaccines, Da Nang City Preventive Medicine Center, said that in recent months, dengue fever in the city has decreased but is still at a high level, with an average of about 50 new cases recorded each week. Proactively responding to the complicated developments of dengue fever and Zika virus entering the city, the city's health sector has strengthened monitoring and actively treated mosquito-killing chemicals in key areas of dengue fever.

In the current changing weather conditions, with unusual rain and sunshine, dengue fever is forecast to increase in October and November. In addition to dengue fever, the Central region has also recorded 3 cases of Zika out of a total of 4 cases detected nationwide. Notably, the Zika virus epidemic is developing complicatedly in countries in the region such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, etc.

Therefore, the investigation and monitoring of disease vectors is of particular concern to localities with international airports such as Da Nang city and Khanh Hoa province.

Mr. Pham Truc Lam, Director of the International Health Quarantine Center in Da Nang City, said: The Center has worked with the Port Authority, Da Nang International Airport, Immigration Police and Customs to strengthen inspection and supervision of passengers entering Da Nang International Airport.

At the arrival gate, there are always 2 infrared remote body temperature measuring cameras operating in parallel to avoid missing cases. In addition, there is a system of handheld infrared body temperature measuring devices to monitor the epidemic. In case of suspected epidemic, the 115 ambulance will transport the passenger to the city's quarantine area, which is Da Nang Hospital for adults and the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital for children.

Dr. Vien Quang Mai, Director of the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang, said that a few months ago, the dengue fever epidemic in the Central region had a tendency to decrease. However, now that the dengue fever season has begun, localities must not be negligent or subjective in disease prevention work.

According to Dr. Vien Quang Mai: “Localities need to strengthen inspection, monitoring, early detection of epidemics, and proactively prevent epidemics. The only way is to detect early, closely monitor and promptly treat, ensuring that deaths will be limited. We need to kill mosquitoes and larvae, both to prevent dengue fever and Zika at the same time”./.

According to VOV