HCMC – Hanoi City is grappling with a sharp rise in infectious diseases, with dengue fever cases increasing significantly over the past week, the city’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) said in a report on August 19.

Hanoi CDC recorded 274 cases of dengue fever between August 9 and 16, an increase of 86 cases from the previous week. Additionally, the city reported 41 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease, and seven cases of whooping cough. Dengue cases are spread across 28 districts, with higher numbers reported in Dan Phuong, Ha Dong, Quoc Oai, Phuc Tho, Bac Tu Liem, and Hai Ba Trung. Since the beginning of the year, Hanoi has identified 87 active dengue clusters, with 28 still ongoing. Health experts attribute the surge to recent unusual weather patterns, including intense heat and sudden rainstorms, which have created ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. Hanoi CDC has warned that cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease could spike as schools reopen. The city also saw a slight increase in whooping cough cases last week, bringing the total for the year to 222. Most whooping cough cases involve young children who have not been vaccinated or have incomplete vaccinations. Hanoi CDC is collaborating with local health units to monitor and address the outbreaks, including launching mosquito eradication campaigns and conducting environmental sanitation efforts in affected areas. They are also working with schools to monitor and manage disease outbreaks as children return to school.