According to the latest statistics from the Ho Chi Minh City Control Center (HCDC), from the beginning of the year to May 18, the whole city recorded 7,690 cases of dengue fever, an increase of 134% over the same period in 2024. Of which, serious illness accounted for 1.5% of the total number of cases. Notably, the group over the age of 15 recorded 1.5 times higher than the group of 15 years of age or less.
Weekly data shows that during the first months of 2025, the number of weekly cases was higher than the same period in 2024. As the rainy season approaches, the risk of increasing cases is even more obvious, requiring proactive implementation of preventive measures right from the beginning of the epidemic season.
Doctor Truong Huu Khanh - Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Infectious Diseases Association said that COVID-19 is currently considered a common cold, people should not panic but should focus on preventing dengue fever - a dangerous disease during the rainy season.
Faced with the increasing risk of three infectious diseases: COVID-19, dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease, on May 25, the Ministry of Health issued an urgent dispatch to launch a peak period of epidemic prevention and control in June and July.
Since the beginning of May 2025, although it is not yet the peak rainy season, many localities have experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms, causing flooding and environmental pollution - favorable conditions for the outbreak of epidemics. This is also the peak summer tourism season, travel demand increases, and the risk of disease spread is higher.
Medical facilities need to be ready to receive, treat, limit death; ensure timely consultation, emergency, referral and support at lower levels. At the same time, prepare human resources, medicine, equipment, and arrange mobile teams at hot spots.
People are advised to kill mosquito larvae, cover the water containers, and wash their hands regularly to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease. Wearing a mask in public places should limit gatherings to prevent COVID-19. After storms, localities need to quickly clean up the environment to prevent the epidemic from spreading.
Therefore, the participation of ward, commune and town authorities is important in directing and effectively implementing measures to prevent and control dengue fever in the locality. In addition, mobilizing community health collaborators to participate in monitoring risk points in the management area is necessary.
