Vietnam: Increase in reported dengue fever and encephalitis cases

Event

According to health officials, outbreaks of dengue fever and encephalitis have occurred earlier this year relative to past years, particularly in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and some other localities. Around 500 people have contracted dengue fever this year in Hanoi’s Dong Da district, an increase of almost nine times when compared to the same time period last year. There have been 329 dengue fever cases and three deaths reported in the past three weeks in Ho Chi Minh City, with higher infection and fatality rates than the same time last year.

In Hanoi, 176 people, including many children, have been diagnosed with encephalitis. Of the 176 cases, 24 have been cases of Japanese encephalitis. The southern city of Can Tho has reported 1000 cases of dengue fever and 40 cases of encephalitis so far this year.

Context

Health officials believe the increase in dengue fever cases is due to the early onset of the rainy season, which is accompanied by the mosquito breeding season.

Symptoms of classic dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Typical encephalitis is spread via mosquito bite, with symptoms including headache, fever, aches in muscles or joints, fatigue or weakness. The symptoms of the more serious Japanese encephalitis include fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, difficulty moving, swelling around the brain, and coma.

Advice

Individuals are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g., by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or air-conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds (small pockets of fresh water, such as rain water that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).