Vietnam reports rise in dengue, hand-foot-mouth disease, COVID-19 cases

From March 18 to April 18, the country reported 6,408 dengue cases and one death, bringing the total since mid-December 2025 to 44,965 cases and five deaths, up 1.8 times year-on-year.

Hand-foot-mouth disease cases reached 11,808 in the month with three deaths, raising the cumulative total to 34,432 cases and eight deaths, 2.5 times higher than the same period last year.

COVID-19 infections totaled 302 in the month with no deaths, bringing the cumulative figure to 356 cases and one death, up 4.4 times from a year earlier.

Influenza cases stood at 17,894 in the month with no deaths, while cumulative infections from the start of 2026 to end-March were 52,865, down 15.1 percent year-on-year.

Suspected measles cases reached 697 in the month with no deaths, with cumulative cases at 3,127, down 26.9 times from a year earlier.

Rabies caused 20 deaths since the start of the year, down four cases from the same period last year.

Other diseases were reported at low levels, including 35 malaria cases since mid-December, 106 viral encephalitis cases with one death, and 26 meningococcal meningitis cases with four deaths.

Vietnam has not recorded any cases or suspected cases of Nipah virus, while no cases of diphtheria, chikungunya, avian influenza A/H5N1, A/H9N2 or cholera were reported in the month.

Hepatitis cases totaled 7,004 nationwide since the start of 2026 with no deaths, including 6,378 hepatitis B cases, 595 hepatitis C cases, and 17 hepatitis A cases.

The ministry said it would strengthen disease surveillance in May, particularly at border gates and in communities, to detect and respond early to infections.

Seven food poisoning incidents were reported in the month, affecting 349 people with no deaths, mainly linked to collective kitchens and schools.

From December 18, 2025 to April 17, 2026, the country recorded 27 food poisoning incidents affecting 849 people, including three deaths.