Some contagious diseases likely to enter Vietnam

(VOV) – A number of life-threatening highly communicable diseases, including the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), are likely to infiltrate into Vietnam, a leading health official warned.

HFM disease likely to spread in HCM City

Efforts needed to contain infectious diseases this summer

PM urges stronger measures against seasonal diseases

At a June 4 workshop on epidemic prevention in Haiphong City, Director of the Preventive Medicine Department (PMD) Tran Dac Phu reported that measles is essentially under control as the number of fatalities and new infections continues to decline.

However, he said there remains a considerable threat of epidemics breaking out for a number of highly contagious diseases.

The heat and humidity of the summer months create ideal conditions for many communicable diseases to gestate, such as hand-foot-mouth disease (HFM) and dengue fever. In addition, factors such as the increased travel in and out of country and bad environmental sanitation increase the likelihood of epidemics.

Health Ministry statistics show since early this year, the country has recorded 9,746 cases of dengue fever in 42 provinces and cities, including 7 fatalities in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Ca Mau, Binh Phuoc and Phu Yen.

Around 24,730 cases of HFM disease have been detected in 62 provinces and cities, including two deaths in Long An and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces. Currently, the disease has primarily occurred in southern provinces, accounting for 78.5% of total infected cases nationwide.

Meanwhile, 5,031 people have been infected with measles in 63 provinces and cities. The disease seems to have declined over recent weeks.

The PMD stated that Vietnam has not recorded any case of MERS-CoV, or avian flu types A/H7N9 and A/H5N6. However, two people died of the deadly avian flu strain A/H5N1 in Binh Phuoc and Dong Thap provinces.

It warned that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the disease. In summer, the healthcare sector continues to promptly monitor, detect and deal with outbreaks, as well as disseminating preventive measures to the public.

The workshop updated participants on the latest information about preventive measures against dengue fever, measles, HFM, flu, varicella, rabies and MERS-CoV.