Number of chickenpox cases continues to increase, focus on preventing summer epidemics

(HNMO) - On the morning of April 10, according to the Hanoi Center for Disease Control (CDC), last week (from March 31 to April 7), the number of dengue fever cases recorded was low, the number of hand, foot and mouth disease cases decreased compared to the previous week. However, the number of chickenpox cases continued to increase. The city's health sector requested to strengthen the implementation of disease prevention and control during the summer and holidays.

Specifically, last week, Hanoi recorded 185 cases of chickenpox (an increase of 19 cases compared to the previous week). In addition, a number of clusters of chickenpox cases were recorded at primary schools and kindergartens: Van Hoa Primary School, Ba Vi District (17 cases); Phu Do Kindergarten, Nam Tu Liem District (18 cases); Dan Hoa Primary School, Thanh Oai District (9 cases); Yen Trung Kindergarten, Thach That District (12 cases).

Thus, from the beginning of 2023 until now, Hanoi has had 985 cases of chickenpox; while in the same period in 2022 there were only 14 cases.

Male patient with chickenpox being treated at Thanh Nhan Hospital.

Regarding dengue fever, last week, Hanoi had 9 cases (an increase of 1 case compared to the previous week). In total, since the beginning of the year, Hanoi has had 206 cases of dengue fever (10 cases in the same period in 2022) and 9 outbreaks, with 1 outbreak currently active. Patients are distributed in 26/30 districts, towns and 128/579 communes, wards and towns.

Regarding hand, foot and mouth disease, last week there were 50 cases (13 cases less than the previous week). Accumulated from the beginning of 2023 until now, the city has had 298 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease; while in the same period last year there were only 4 cases.

In addition, last week, 3 hand, foot and mouth disease outbreaks were recorded at Hoa Mi Kindergarten - Yen Binh, Thach That district with 2 cases; So Toi village, Yen Trung commune, Thach That district (2 cases); Group 19, Dong Anh town (2 cases). Since the beginning of the year, Hanoi has recorded 11 hand, foot and mouth disease outbreaks, with 6 outbreaks currently active.

According to the assessment of the Hanoi Department of Health, the weather has now turned to hot and humid summer, which is a favorable condition for diseases such as: Hand, foot and mouth disease, chickenpox, dengue fever, measles, acute diarrhea, Japanese encephalitis... to develop and increase. In addition, dangerous diseases such as influenza A (H7N9), influenza A (H5N6), Marburg... have the potential to invade.

Therefore, to proactively prevent and combat summer diseases, especially during the upcoming April 30 and May 1 holidays, the Hanoi Department of Health requires the city CDC to closely monitor passengers entering Vietnam through Noi Bai International Airport, check passengers' body temperature with a thermometer, and pay attention to passengers coming from countries with influenza A (H7N9), influenza A (H5N6), Marburg, etc. Apply isolation measures and transfer treatment to suspected cases; at the same time, notify the medical centers of districts, towns and cities to organize epidemic surveillance in the community.

Disseminate disease prevention measures to people.

Regarding infectious diseases circulating in the country, the City Department of Health recommends that the Medical Centers of districts, towns and cities strengthen monitoring of the epidemic situation in the community and medical facilities to detect epidemic cases early; organize zoning and thoroughly handle outbreaks to prevent the epidemic from spreading. Arrange staff on duty and be ready to deploy measures to contain and handle epidemics, especially during the holidays...

“In addition to organizing admission, emergency care, and treatment of patients, and avoiding cross-infection, medical examination and treatment facilities need to strictly manage patient waste to prevent pathogens from spreading and causing epidemics in hospitals or spreading to the community. At the same time, medical examination and treatment facilities must closely coordinate with the city CDC and district, town, and city health centers in the area to notify and exchange information about summer epidemic cases to proactively monitor and handle epidemics in the community,” the Hanoi Department of Health stated.

Along with that, strictly implement the on-duty regime during holidays, promptly inform and report on the epidemic situation according to regulations.

Source