Strict penalties are needed to curb dengue fever.

SGGP 01/07/2023 06:01

The dengue fever epidemic is currently at risk of spreading rapidly with a higher number of cases, as localities are entering the peak of the rainy season. According to the latest report from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health , from June 19 to 25, the city recorded 197 new dengue fever cases, an 18% increase compared to the average of the previous four weeks.

Residents of An Lac ward, Binh Tan district (Ho Chi Minh City) are cleaning the environment and eliminating mosquito larvae to prevent infectious diseases.

Strict penalties to set an example.

Of the 197 new dengue fever cases, the number of inpatients and outpatients increased by 11.4% and 24.6%, respectively. Twelve out of 21 districts and counties, including Thu Duc City, and 23 out of 312 wards, communes, and towns saw an increase in cases. Thus, the cumulative number of dengue fever cases from the beginning of the year to date is 8,298, representing 53.2% of the same period in 2022 (17,733 cases), with no deaths recorded due to dengue fever. Through dengue fever risk monitoring, the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) detected mosquito larvae in 12 out of 24 locations in Districts 1, 4, 7, 11, 12, Hoc Mon District, and Thu Duc City.

Given the double epidemic situation with an increase in hand, foot and mouth disease and dengue fever cases in the city, the health sector has requested districts, counties, and Thu Duc City to strengthen epidemic prevention and control activities; especially to strictly handle organizations and individuals who do not implement measures to ensure hygiene in their living spaces to prevent infectious diseases.

To prevent a double epidemic from occurring in the area, in addition to mobilizing and disseminating information to each neighborhood, strengthening environmental sanitation, and reviewing high-risk areas, Binh Tan district has also been resolutely penalizing organizations and individuals who do not strictly comply with epidemic prevention and control regulations according to Government Decree No. 117/2020/ND-CP. In the last two months alone, Binh Tan district has fined 19 organizations and individuals tens of millions of VND.

According to To Hoang Giang, Chairman of the Tan Tao Ward People's Committee, the locality has a high population density and many companies and businesses, making it difficult to monitor and encourage people to prevent dengue fever because many organizations and individuals are still complacent and negligent in disease prevention. "The Ward People's Committee has issued dozens of reminder notices, including one metal casting company on Ho Hoc Lam Street that was fined twice," Mr. Giang said.

Similarly, Phan Thi Minh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Hung Hoa B Ward, informed that, in addition to organizing teams to go to each residential area to eliminate mosquito larvae, conduct thorough inspections and monitoring, and completely handle dengue fever outbreaks, the ward has issued 3 penalty decisions and 5 reminder documents to households and businesses that have not strictly implemented disease prevention and control measures.

According to Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Dung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Tan District: The total number of inpatient and outpatient dengue fever cases from January 1st to June 27th is 920. Compared to the same period in 2022, this represents a 63% decrease (920/2,493 cases). The District People's Committee has directed relevant units to strengthen inspection and monitoring of risk factors according to the guidelines of the HCDC (Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control). In areas where mosquito larvae have been detected, functional forces must re-inspect weekly. "In cases where larvae are still present, functional forces will draw up a report and forward it to the Ward People's Committee for strict penalties," Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Dung affirmed.

Do not be complacent or negligent in preventing and controlling the epidemic.

According to Dr. Nguyen Trung Hoa, Director of the Go Vap District Health Center, the district has recorded approximately 300 dengue fever cases recently (an increase of over 13% compared to the same period last year). One of the reasons cited is the high population density and high mobility – a risk factor for increased disease spread. The Go Vap District People's Committee has directed the 16 ward People's Committees to mobilize all resources to effectively control and handle areas at risk of mosquito and larva breeding. Administrative penalties will be increased for individuals and organizations that intentionally increase the risk of disease spread in the community, in accordance with the law.

According to Ms. Vo Thi Chinh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of District 12, the number of dengue fever cases in the district has decreased by nearly 44% compared to the same period last year. It is predicted that the number of dengue fever cases will tend to increase in the coming time as it is the peak of the rainy season. In 2022, the entire district issued administrative penalties to 134 cases for failing to implement disease prevention measures. This measure will continue to be strictly enforced in the coming time. At the same time, District 12 aims to strive for 100% of dengue fever outbreaks to be investigated and handled promptly. District 12 is also building a dengue fever surveillance system from residential areas to schools and businesses… to promptly isolate and handle outbreaks, preventing widespread transmission. Simultaneously, it will continue to organize many campaigns to “eliminate mosquito larvae, kill mosquitoes, and clean houses and the environment” in the homes and workplaces of each person, each household, each agency, and in areas where dengue fever outbreaks are occurring. Strengthen inspection, monitoring, and handling of risk areas, thoroughly address outbreaks, and conduct mass media campaigns to encourage public participation.

In the suburban districts, measures to prevent and control dengue fever and hand, foot, and mouth disease are also being vigorously promoted. “The District People's Committee established two inspection teams, conducting 32 monitoring visits in communes/towns, and the communes/towns established 21 inspection teams, conducting over 800 monitoring visits to high-risk facilities and locations in the area. Through the monitoring work, the teams issued warnings to 11 establishments and fined 2 establishments for failing to cooperate in disease prevention and control. The teams will continue to conduct unannounced monitoring visits to prevent and control the disease,” emphasized Nguyen Thi Hang, Vice Chairman of the Cu Chi District People's Committee.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/xu-phat-nghiem-de-chan-sot-xuat-huyet-post695713.html