Dramatic increases in dengue fever in Vietnam

As of June 21st, the municipality of Hanoi has recorded more than 2,000 people with dengue fever, an increase of more than four times the number compared to the same time period in 2016. In Ho Chi Minh City, the the number of hospitalizations due to dengue have increased by 40%. Increases in dengue fever cases have also been reported in Quang Nam, Da Nang, and Quang Ngai.

Advice

The absence of reports from other areas does not mean that there is no dengue fever transmission there. The risk of exposure will vary from place to place and may be high in many localities.

All travellers to areas where the dengue fever virus is active can reduce their risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Many persons with dengue fever do not seek medical care and are not reported to health authorities. There may be many more cases in the community than the reports indicate.