Hanoi (VNA) – Localities areintensifying measures to prevent dengue fever and Zika virus.

According to the Ministry of Health, the dengueinfections dropped by 20 percent in the first months of 2017. However, atpresent, the disease is increasing in some cities and provinces such as DaNang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Thuan, Thua Thien-Hue, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, BinhDuong, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, Hau Giang and Dak Lak.

The country has recorded several Zika cases insome cities and provinces in the south where the rainy season is creatingfavourable conditions for mosquitoes to develop.

Given the fact, the health ministry hasrequested the centrally-run provincial and municipal People’s Committees todirect departments, organisations and people to actively eliminate mosquitolarva to prevent the spread of the diseases.

Localities must ensure medicine, chemicals andnecessary equipment to carry out prevention activities.

The provincial and municipal health departmentsare ordered to increase inspection for the early detection of infections andprevention of outbreaks.

The health sector will open more trainingcourses on monitoring patients, spraying chemicals, and dealing with outbreaks.

Medical facilities should ensure the prompttreatment of patients to limit the number of fatalities.

The Departments of Information and Communicationis responsible for coordinating with the heath sector to raise public awarenessof preventive measures.

The Departments of Finance need to proactivelyprovide money for the prevention activities.

Vietnam recorded nearly 6,900 cases of denguefever in April, compared to the average figure of 4,000 in the first threemonths of the year.

According to the Ministry of Health, since thebeginning of this year, 20,947 people have contracted the disease, with eightlosing their lives.

In 2016, Vietnam detected 227 Zika virusinfection cases, of which 207 are residents of Ho Chi Minh City.

Since the beginning of 2017, HCM City hasreported 19 Zika virus cases.

Dengue feveris transmitted by mosquitoes carrying the virus. Its symptoms include highfever, headaches and joint aches, which can be confused with symptoms of otherdiseases.

Meanwhile, Zika virus is transmitted from humanto human by mosquitoes. Infections have been linked to the birth defectmicrocephaly and miscarriages, posing a significant threat to pregnant women.

There is currently no vaccine or effectivetreatment for the infection and companies and scientists are racing to developa vaccine.-VNA