Dengue fever cases surge, hospitals report severe complications

Đồng Tháp Commune in Hà Nội’s Đan Phượng District is currently a dengue fever hotspot with 36 new cases reported this week. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Dengue fever cases are rising rapidly, with numerous outbreaks and hotspots across several regions.

Hospitals are struggling to manage severe cases, which are presenting with complex developments and dangerous complications, increasing the risk of fatalities.

In the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) province of Đắk Lắk, over 1,230 dengue cases have been recorded since the start of the year, with the epidemic surging particularly in July and early August.

The most affected areas include Buôn Ma Thuột City and the districts of Krông Pắc, Ea Kar, and Cư M’Gar.

According to Hoàng Hải Phúc, Director of the provincial centre for disease control, the spike in cases is linked to the ongoing rainy season, which has boosted mosquito populations.

Similarly, Hải Phòng City witnessed 4,307 cases in July, a significant increase from the previous month, bringing the total for the year to 7,118 cases, a sharp rise compared to the same period last year.

Most cases are concentrated in urban districts, with new outbreaks spreading rapidly.

Notably, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the primary disease vector, have been detected in multiple districts, raising concerns about further spread.

Hospitals in the affected regions have reported severe cases, with many patients experiencing life-threatening complications.

The Tây Nguyên General Hospital has admitted over 300 dengue patients, nearly fifty of whom are in critical condition.

Similarly, the Tropical Diseases Centre at Hà Nội’s Bạch Mai Hospital has seen an influx of severe cases.

Associate Professor Dr Đỗ Duy Cường, Director of the Tropical Diseases Centre, noted that dengue cases in suburban Hà Nội and surrounding provinces appear to be more severe this year. Patients have presented with serious symptoms, including liver failure, low platelet counts, and blood thickening.

Dengue fever, caused by the dengue virus, is transmitted via mosquito bites and can lead to severe health issues if not treated promptly.

The disease progresses through three stages: febrile, critical, and recovery.

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial to avoid severe complications and death.

Dr Cường advises that individuals experiencing sudden high fever, headaches, and body aches should seek immediate medical attention for proper evaluation and treatment, warning against self-medication and at-home treatment. — VNS