Hand, foot and mouth disease "overlaps" dengue fever epidemic, increasing rapidly

On the evening of June 28, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health reported the epidemic situation in week 25 (from June 19 to 25) in the city. Specifically, from June 19, 2023 to June 25, 2023, the number of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease cases in the city continued to increase rapidly, the number of cases and hospitalizations doubled compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks. Entering the rainy season, the number of cases and hospitalizations due to Dengue fever also began to increase.

In week 25, the City recorded 779 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, doubling (116.2%) compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks (360 cases); in which, the number of inpatient and outpatient hospitalizations increased by 1.8 times and 2.8 times, respectively.

The cumulative number of cases up to week 25 was 3,736, 47.7% lower than the same period in 2022 (7,144 cases). In week 25, most districts recorded an increase in the number of cases compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks (21/22 districts), except for Can Gio district where the number of cases remained unchanged.

Ho Chi Minh City hand, foot and mouth disease, dengue fever epidemic increases rapidly, picture 1 — Number of inpatient and outpatient hand, foot and mouth disease cases. (Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health).

Regarding the dengue fever epidemic, in week 25, the City recorded 197 cases, an increase of 18% compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks; in which, the number of inpatients and outpatients increased by 11.4% and 24.6%, respectively.

The cumulative number of cases up to week 25 was 8,298, 53.2% lower than the same period in 2022 (17,733 cases), with no deaths due to Dengue fever recorded. During the week, 12/22 districts and 23/312 wards and communes had an increase in the number of cases compared to the average number of cases in the previous 4 weeks.

Ho Chi Minh City hand, foot and mouth disease, dengue fever epidemic increases rapidly, picture 2 — Dengue fever cases in Ho Chi Minh City are still increasing rapidly.

In the face of overlapping epidemics, Ho Chi Minh City continues to promote activities to prevent and control hand, foot and mouth disease and dengue fever in the area.

The City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) continues to strengthen monitoring of risk points and dengue fever prevention activities in districts and Thu Duc city.

During the past week, monitoring dengue fever risk points, HCDC discovered 12/24 points with mosquito larvae (in District 12, District 4, District 7, District 11, District 1, Hoc Mon District and Thu Duc City). The Department of Health has informed the People's Committees of the districts to direct, inspect and supervise dengue fever prevention and control activities in the area.

In addition, HCDC also issued Official Dispatch 2410/TTKSBT-PCBTN dated June 20, 2023 to the Health Departments, District Health Centers, and Thu Duc City on strengthening activities to prevent and control Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.

Thu Phuong

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