Enjoy the Lunar New Year but don't forget about disease prevention.

- As the Lunar New Year approaches, the risk of increased infectious diseases such as seasonal influenza, respiratory infections, hand, foot and mouth disease, and gastrointestinal illnesses always poses many complex challenges. In light of this situation, disease prevention and control efforts are being focused on by all levels and sectors in the province.

Doctors at Ba Son Commune Health Station are raising awareness among the local people about disease prevention and control.

According to data from the Provincial Center for Disease Control, during the period leading up to the Lunar New Year, the province still recorded a number of cases of infectious diseases, mainly hand, foot and mouth disease and COVID-19. From the beginning of 2026 to February 1st, 2026, the province recorded 5 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease and 4 cases of COVID-19; 3 cases of rash suspected to be measles/rubella. Other dangerous infectious diseases such as dengue fever, pertussis, diphtheria, rabies and chikungunya have not yet recorded any cases. Cases appeared sporadically, and no outbreaks were recorded in the community; however, the appearance of isolated cases indicates that the risk of spread remains.

Given the potential risks of the epidemic during the period leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), the provincial health sector has proactively implemented a comprehensive set of disease prevention and control measures from an early stage. Dr. Duong Anh Dung, Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the Provincial Center for Disease Control, said: "We have advised the higher authorities to request regional health centers and commune/ward health stations to proactively develop and implement disease prevention and control plans appropriate to the actual situation, ready to respond and avoid being caught off guard when an epidemic occurs."

"Proactive implementation of disease prevention and control measures and raising public awareness of self-prevention play a crucial role."

Dr. Duong Anh Dung,

Head of the Infectious Diseases Department,

Provincial Center for Disease Control

Analyzing the factors that increase the risk of disease outbreaks during Tet (Lunar New Year), Dr. Dung stated: Cold, humid weather, and the possibility of humid weather in the coming period, not only weakens the body's resistance but also creates favorable conditions for viruses and bacteria to survive longer and spread more rapidly. In addition, increased travel, tourism , and large gatherings; inter-provincial travel, close contact in enclosed spaces, and festive activities are factors that make respiratory and contact-transmitted diseases easily spread in the community. Therefore, proactively implementing disease prevention and control measures and raising people's awareness of self-prevention plays a crucial role.

To proactively prevent and control various diseases during this period, regional health centers and commune/ward health stations have continued to strictly implement disease surveillance; focusing on closely monitoring infectious diseases with a high risk of increase during the Lunar New Year and early spring period such as dengue fever, COVID-19, measles, influenza, hand, foot and mouth disease, Japanese encephalitis, whooping cough, diphtheria, monkeypox, meningococcal meningitis, diarrhea, cholera, streptococcal swine disease, chikungunya, etc.; ensuring early detection, rapid treatment, and minimizing the risk of disease spread in the community.

In Luong Van Tri ward, where the Lang Son Peach Blossom Festival takes place with a large number of residents and tourists, disease prevention and control is given special attention. Dr. Hoang Thi Hong Gam, Director of the Luong Van Tri Ward Health Station, said: "The ward currently has 4,600 households and over 19,400 residents. Several major provincial festivals and events attracting large crowds pose a potential risk of disease transmission. Therefore, we have proactively coordinated with relevant units to strengthen disease prevention and control measures. This includes focusing on raising public awareness, promoting self-prevention, maintaining personal hygiene, washing hands frequently, monitoring health, and promptly seeking medical attention if suspected of illness occurs. At the same time, the station organizes full vaccination programs according to regulations. This contributes to limiting the risk of disease spread and ensuring the health and safety of the people."

Worried about the risk of infectious diseases during Tet (Lunar New Year), especially for families with young children, many people have proactively raised their awareness of disease prevention. Ms. Hoang Thi Thuy, a resident of Dong Kinh ward, said: "My family has young children, so we are very worried about the risk of infectious diseases during Tet. Therefore, we proactively ensure that our children receive all necessary vaccinations, wear masks when going out, maintain personal hygiene, avoid crowded places, and monitor their health daily."

Thanks to the proactive efforts of the health sector and authorities at all levels, along with the consensus and self-awareness of the people in preventing and controlling the disease, epidemic prevention and control work in the province has been strengthened, contributing to ensuring that people and tourists can celebrate Tet safely and healthily.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/giap-tet-chu-dong-phong-dich-5076238.html