Hanoi launches campaign against dengue, Zika virus hinh anh 1A health worker sprays chemicals to kill mosquitoes in Truong Dinh ward in Hanoi’s Hai Ba Trung district (Photo: VNA/VNS Photo Duong Ngoc)

Hanoi (VNA) –Hanoi’s Health Department and authorities of the outlying district of Hoai Duc jointly launched a campaign against dengue and Zika virus disease on September 16.

The department called for the involvement of local authorities and agencies in the effort.

Following the launch ceremony, local communes and districts began an environment clean-up drive, with a focus on residential areas, schools and epidemic hotbeds, and educated the public about precautionary measures.

The department requested overseeing infection cases, taking more samples to promptly discover new infections, and working closely with the media centre for health education to acquire relevant information.

According to the ministry’s Department of Preventive Medicine, since the beginning of this year, the country have recorded 65,339 dengue fever cases, 20 of them are dead, and three Zika infections in Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Yen.

In Hanoi alone, 1,084 in 29 districts and communes suffered from dengue, down 46 percent from 2015. Hoai Duc district reported 162 dengue cases with 27 hotbeds.

The capital has not yet recorded any Zika virus cases so far.-VNA

VNA