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Dengue epidemic sweeps Vietnam hub
http://www.thanhniennews.com/healthy/?catid=8&newsid=19013
http://www.thanhniennews.com/healthy/?catid=8&newsid=19013
Mosquito-born dengue fever is spreading rapidly in Ho Chi Minh City with almost all its 24 districts now under its grip.
Over 4,300 cases have been reported so far this year with two children dying of the deadly disease.
Paediatrics Hospital alone No2 has admitted 1,230 cases, double last year?s. It handled 100 dengue patients daily, doctors said.
Districts 6, 8, and Binh Thanh were hardest-hit by the disease with 300-400 cases each, the city preventive health center said.
Even adults have not been spared: they account for 50 percent of the victims.
At a meeting with the HCMC health department Thursday the central Minister of Health Tran Thi Trung Chien blamed the epidemic on inefficient control and prevention measures by the city.
She instructed the department to immediately direct health centers in all 24 districts to identify vulnerable epidemic zones to set up action plans to fight it.
She advised people to take measures against mosquito bites.
Dengue fever is fatal in about 5 percent of cases, especially children and young adults.
Source: Thanh Nien, Nguoi Lao Dong ? Translated by An Dien