Water containers that are home to mosquito larvae are cleared away to prevent the spread of dengue fever (Source: VNA)HCM City (VNA) –Ho Chi Minh City has recorded 13,763 cases of dengue fever since the beginning ofthis year, an increase of 27 percent compared to the same period last year,according to the municipal Department of Health.
However, the increase in the last eight weeks was part of aslowing trend, a representative of the department said at a meeting with healthcentres and hospitals held on September 6.
From August 25-31, 466 patients with dengue fever were reported, adrop of 10 percent compared to the last four weeks, according to the city’s PreventiveHealth Centre.
Many districts such as Binh Tan, Binh Chanh, Can Gio, and Hoc Monhave seen a decrease in the number of patients with dengue fever thanks toclearing away of water containers which could be home to mosquito larvae.
However, several other districts, including Binh Thanh, Cu Chi, NhaBe and district 8, have seen an increase in the number of cases.
Dr Le Hong Nga, head of the centre’s division for the control ofinfectious diseases, said that local health officials and authorities shouldcontinue preventive methods for sustainably controlling mosquitoes whichtransmit the disease to humans, although the disease has seen a slow upwardtrend.
“There still is a risk of an increase in cases,” Nga said.
She instructed local health officials to continue to spraychemicals to destroy mosquitoes as scheduled and review their wards or communeswith an increase in cases to ensure that preventive methods are done in atimely fashion.
The centre has provided training courses on prevention to teachersand health officials at schools, Nga said.
A department representative said that it would review the sprayingof chemicals to check whether health officials are doing the job properly.
The proper method for spraying will be expanded throughout thecity, he added.-VNA
VNA
