Dengue fever hotspots plague Hanoi

According to the latest report released by the capital’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Hanoi), the last three weeks have seen BI indexes in many localities throughout Hanoi stand at two times higher than limits.

CDC Hanoi said that the high BI index is the primary reason why the number of dengue infections has skyrocketed over the past four weeks.

Between November 4 and 10 alone, the capital recorded more than 1,300 new dengue cases, an increase of 2.3% compared to the previous week.

In total, Hanoi has endured 83 new hotspots, with the majority found in the districts of Hoang Mai, Dong Da, Ha Dong, Thanh Oai, and Thanh Tri.

Around 12,000 cases have been reported in and around Hanoi so far this year, resulting in 12 deaths, a figure three times higher than the same period last year.

According to CDC Hanoi, the favourable weather for disease-carrying mosquitos is one of the main factors causing the spread of the virus. This year is also part of the five-year cycle in which significant dengue outbreaks have been recorded.

The centre attributed the rise in dengue case numbers to a general lack of public awareness and preventive measures taken to get rid of mosquitoes and their bites.

To prevent the spread of the virus, the centre suggested that people regularly wash water tanks and other water containers, use mosquito nets even during the day, wear long-sleeved clothes, use mosquito spray and mosquito repellent cream to kill mosquitoes and prevent bites.

People should not arbitrarily treat dengue fever at home, it warned.