According to HCDC, Dengue fever in Ho Chi Minh City is tending to increase early from the beginning of 2026. As of May 31, 2026, the city recorded 17,718 cases, an increase of more than 64.6% compared to the same period in 2025. Notably, the epidemic has appeared in all 168 wards, communes, and special zones.
According to MSc.BS Le Hong Nga - Deputy Director of HCDC, Ho Chi Minh City records new cases every day, of which more than 50% are adults. The 11-15 and 16-30 age groups account for a high proportion, showing that the epidemic is no longer limited to children as previously thought. Risk groups such as the elderly, pregnant women and people with underlying diseases are also prone to severe progression.
Experts believe that rapid urbanization, high population density and climate change are creating favorable conditions for disease-transmitting mosquitoes to develop and maintain the transmission cycle in the community.
A common misunderstanding is that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes only reproduce in dirty water environments. In fact, according to experts, this mosquito species can reproduce right in clean water containers in the house such as vases, plant pots, refrigerated water trays or less hygienic water containers.
From a treatment perspective, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Quang - Head of the Department of Intensive Care and Poison Control, Children's Hospital 1 - warned that many severe cases originate from subjectivity, self-treatment at home or not early identification of warning signs. In particular, many people mistakenly believe that when the fever is gone, the disease is cured, while the most dangerous stage usually falls at the time of fever reduction, from the 3rd to the 7th day.
Patients need to go to a medical facility immediately when warning signs appear such as prolonged high fever, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, cold hands and feet or abnormal bleeding occur.
According to HCDC, severe cases hospitalized are just the tip of the iceberg, followed by a series of cases in the community that have not been detected or fully monitored.
The Ho Chi Minh City Health sector is calling on people to proactively prevent diseases from households by measures such as changing flower vases, covering water containers, cleaning plant pots, clearing sewers and killing larvae.
In parallel, the city aims for a "double shield" model, combining mosquito and larvae control and proactive preventive measures, including vaccination, to reduce the risk of infection and limit severe cases in the community.
