A number of dangerous infectious diseases, including the Middle East respiratory syndrome corona virus (MERS-CoV), are likely to infect Vietnamese people, said a senior official of the Ministry Health. There is considerable threat of epidemics breaking out for a number of highly contagious diseases in summer, said Tran Dac Phu, chief of the ministry’s General Department of Preventive Medicine, at a workshop on June 4. The heat and humidity of the summer months create ideal conditions for many communicable diseases, such as hand-foot-mouth disease (HFM) and dengue fever, to gestate. In addition, factors such as the increased traveling in and out of country and bad sanitation increase the likelihood of epidemics, he warned. Mr. Phu noted that measles is essentially under control as the number of fatalities and new infections continues to decline. Statistics from the ministry showed that the country has recorded 9,746 cases of dengue fever in 42 provinces and cities, including 7 fatalities in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Ca Mau, Binh Phuoc and Phu Yen, since the beginning of this year. Around 24,730 cases of HFM disease have been detected in 62 provinces and cities, including two deaths in Long An and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces. Currently, the disease has primarily occurred in southern provinces, accounting for 78.5% of total infected cases nationwide. Meanwhile, 5,031 people have been infected with measles in 63 provinces and cities. The disease seems to have declined over recent weeks. The department stated that Vietnam has not recorded any case of MERS-CoV, or avian flu types A/H7N9 and A/H5N6. However, two people died of the deadly avian flu strain A/H5N1 in Binh Phuoc and Dong Thap provinces. It warned that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the disease. In summer, the healthcare sector continues to promptly monitor, detect and deal with outbreaks, as well as disseminate preventive measures to the public. (VOV Jun 5)
