Vietnam tells hospitals to prepare as dengue fever cases surge

HANOI (Reuters) – Dengue fever instances in Vietnam up to now this yr have greater than doubled in comparison with the identical interval in 2021, the well being ministry mentioned on Thursday, warning its hospitals to brace for extra infections.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne illness widespread in Southeast Asia that causes flu-like signs and no vaccine is accessible. Extreme types of it can lead to inner bleeding.

Vietnam recorded 89,120 dengue instances within the first six months, up from 35,936 a yr earlier, a rise of 148%. Deaths tripled to 34 over the identical interval.

The nation of 98 million folks has usually recorded about 110,000 instances yearly in recent times, with infections peaking normally between June and October.

“The variety of instances is forecast to proceed to rise additional, with extra extreme instances to be hospitalised,” mentioned the ministry, which issued particular tips to healthcare suppliers this week.

“All hospitals at provincial and district ranges must focus their sources to confess and deal with extreme instances.”

(Reporting by Khanh Vu; Modifying by Martin Petty)