Vietnam warns of rising dengue cases as peak season begins

Speaking at an event marking the 16th ASEAN Dengue Day (June 15) in Tay Ninh Province, Vo Hai Son, deputy director of the ministry's Department of Preventive Medicine, said alternating periods of rain and sunshine, high humidity and standing water in households and residential areas were creating favorable conditions for disease-carrying mosquitoes to breed.

"If preventive measures are not implemented proactively and early, the risk of further increases in infections is very high," Son said.

Dengue remains endemic in many parts of Vietnam, particularly in southern provinces and densely populated urban areas with high levels of travel and economic activity, he said.

Son said dengue should not be regarded as a mild illness, warning that the disease can progress rapidly and lead to shock, severe bleeding, organ failure, and death if not detected, monitored, and treated promptly.

The ministry said dengue prevention should not rely solely on mosquito-spraying campaigns, adding that eliminating mosquito breeding sites and larvae in households and communities remained the most effective long-term control measure.

Health authorities urged residents to spend at least 10 minutes each week checking for and removing containers that can collect water, covering water storage containers, changing water in flower vases, disposing of waste, and taking steps to avoid mosquito bites.

The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Health, the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, and Tay Ninh provincial authorities. 

Officials said Tay Ninh was selected as the host location because of its position in the southeastern region, its border with Cambodia, and climatic conditions favorable to mosquito transmission.