Vietnam Southern Dong Thap Province Strives to Tackle Dengue Fever

Vietnam’s southern province of Dong Thap has been taking measures to fight dengue fever as infections are rising rapidly. More than 3,300 dengue fever cases have been reported since the beginning of the year in Dong Thap. Of the number, two people have died, according to the provincial Preventive Medicine Centre. From the last week of October till early November, 62 cases were recorded in the province, mostly in the districts of Thanh Binh, Cao Lanh and Cao Lanh City. The health center has told local health officials to step up epidemiology efforts in wards and communes and spray anti-mosquito chemicals at hot spots which are at high risk of an outbreak. Health authorities have advised people with suspected cases of dengue fever to get hospitalized at the earliest. Victims often display symptoms of high fever for over 3-4 days, fatigue, dizziness, stomach aches, vomiting and rashes. There is no vaccine for dengue fever, which is transmitted through mosquito bites. (dangcongsan.vn Nov 7)