The number of new dengue fever cases in Hanoi has dropped in the last two weeks, announced the municipal Department of Health on December 20.

The department said that Hanoi recorded 1,165 dengue fever cases from December 13 to 20, a decrease of 11% compared to the previous week. In particular, the number of dengue cases decreased in 24 localities.

"The weather in Hanoi has turned cold, which is not conducive to mosquito and larvae breeding. Although the number of new cases in the city has decreased, all residents are still advised to remain vigilant for the disease," Ha told The Hanoi Times.

She stressed that over the past few months, Hanoi has stepped up measures to reduce the risk of dengue outbreaks and minimize contagions.

Hanoi’s locals are active in preventing and controlling dengue fever. Photo: The Hanoi Times

The doctor stressed that many people confuse flu symptoms with those of dengue or dengue with Covid-19, so that they may neglect complications.

If people have any symptoms such as fever, cough, or body aches, they should go to medical centers to be examined and diagnosed so that if they contract dengue, the doctor will check and treat them as soon as possible, she said.

According to Tran Thi Nhi Ha, the department will continue to maintain a task force to ensure it is prepared to respond quickly to dengue developments in the city as part of efforts to deal with the epidemic.

"The department has strengthened monitoring of patients in the community and in hospitals to promptly treat the disease. In addition, it has strengthened surveillance of areas where cases are reported to prevent the disease from spreading," Ha said.

She emphasized that campaigns to boost environmental sanitation and kill larvae in high-risk areas have been rapidly deployed, while information dissemination on ways to prevent dengue has been promoted in residential areas throughout the city. "We have also promoted the dissemination of dengue prevention so that people can proactively implement prevention measures at home," Ha added.

Local officials need to keep communicating with residents about measures to prevent and controlling dengue fever. Photo: The Hanoi Times

In addition, the Hanoi Center for Disease Control (CDC) has ordered local schools to draw up epidemic prevention plans, with a special focus on high-risk diseases such as dengue, Covid-19, and influenza.

In particular, schools should coordinate with local health centers to quickly treat any possible infection.

Attention will be paid to intensifying outreach to raise public awareness of disease prevention and control, improving environmental sanitation, and spraying chemicals to kill mosquito larvae, said the CDC. 

Previously, in early November, the Hanoi People's Committee asked local agencies to strengthen measures to prevent and control dengue fever in the capital. 

Accordingly, the Department of Health, the Department of Information and Communications, the Finance Department, the Department of Public Security, and the Capital High Command must join the common cause to prevent and control dengue fever. 

A weekly environmental sanitation campaign will be carried out to kill larvae, especially in areas with outbreaks.