Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=01HEA140508
Mosquito-borne fever strikes Delta
(14-05-2008)
LONG AN ? At least 900 cases of petechial fever have been reported in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta, and experts are worried about the disease spreading even further, according to Ngo Van Hoang, director of Long An?s preventive health centre.
Mosquitoes are the main carrier of the disease, which is dangerous for babies and overweight children. It can lead to respiratory decline and digestive problems.
Ca Mau Province has so far had 415 cases of the fever. The highest number of cases was reported in U Minh District with 92.
Last year, the same district had just 15 cases. Most patients are under 15 and are from Khanh Hoi, Khanh Hoa, Khanh Tien and Khanh Lam communes. Bac Lieu reported 400 cases while Can Tho reported 112.
"Compared to other provinces, the number of cases in Can Tho is low, however the trend is increasing," said Le Hoang Son, director of Can Tho?s Paediatrics Hospital.
The spread was attributed to limited prevention measures being taken. Bad weather and poor living conditions, such as dirty houses surrounded by lakes, ponds and stagnant water, create favourable breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
U Minh has sprayed chemicals, but limited awareness is making the campaign difficult.
The Preventive Medical Department co-operated with HCM City?s Pasteur Institute to help provide the chemicals and spraying machines to wipe out the mosquito population. ? VNS
Mosquito-borne fever strikes Delta
(14-05-2008)
LONG AN ? At least 900 cases of petechial fever have been reported in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta, and experts are worried about the disease spreading even further, according to Ngo Van Hoang, director of Long An?s preventive health centre.
Mosquitoes are the main carrier of the disease, which is dangerous for babies and overweight children. It can lead to respiratory decline and digestive problems.
Ca Mau Province has so far had 415 cases of the fever. The highest number of cases was reported in U Minh District with 92.
Last year, the same district had just 15 cases. Most patients are under 15 and are from Khanh Hoi, Khanh Hoa, Khanh Tien and Khanh Lam communes. Bac Lieu reported 400 cases while Can Tho reported 112.
"Compared to other provinces, the number of cases in Can Tho is low, however the trend is increasing," said Le Hoang Son, director of Can Tho?s Paediatrics Hospital.
The spread was attributed to limited prevention measures being taken. Bad weather and poor living conditions, such as dirty houses surrounded by lakes, ponds and stagnant water, create favourable breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
U Minh has sprayed chemicals, but limited awareness is making the campaign difficult.
The Preventive Medical Department co-operated with HCM City?s Pasteur Institute to help provide the chemicals and spraying machines to wipe out the mosquito population. ? VNS
