Hanoi (VNA) – Most localities nationwide have reported declines in dengue fever cases in the past four weeks, said Tran Dac Phu, Director of the Health Ministry’s Preventive Medicine Department, on September 14.

However, there is still a risk that infections will pick up as the disease often broke at this point in previous years, Phu added.

According to the department, this year the nation has recorded 124,986 cases of dengue fever, with 105,300 people hospitalised and 29 killed.

Compared with the same period last year, the number of hospitalisations rose by 43.9 percent, while the number of fatalities increased by 10 cases.

However, during the week from September 4, a 23.9 percent decrease in cases was seen, with over 5,600 cases and no fatalities reported.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said the fall is the result of efforts made by provinces, cities, ministries and agencies involved, especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City – the two hardest-hit localities.

He asked localities not to ignore disease developments, and continue considering dengue fever prevention an important task in the remaining months of the year.

They were requested to continue providing citizens with updates on the fever, spraying chemical substances to kill mosquitoes in areas of outbreaks, ensuring the chemicals are high quality and widely accessible for citizens, as well as strengthening hospitals’ dengue treatment capabilities.-VNA