By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The dengue fever epidemic in Vietnam has exceeded 100,000 cases in the first seven months of 2019. According to Suckhoe Doisong report (computer translated), the country has recorded over 105,000 cases of dengue fever since the beginning of the year, including 10 deaths.

Image/Robert Herriman

This has prompted the Health Ministry to set up 8 inspection teams to supervise and direct the prevention of this disease in 20 key provinces and cities (Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Thap, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc and Binh Dinh , Da Nang, Quang Nam, Gia Lai, Dak Nong, Dak Lak, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Dong Nai and Tay Ninh).

Provinces and cities with the highest number of cases in the country include Khanh Hoa, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ninh Thuan and Dong Nai.

On Monday, health minister instructed health departments of cities and provinces nationwide to intensify early detection and rapid containment of dengue fever outbreaks. The localities were asked to launch big campaigns on killing mosquito larvae, and to well treat dengue fever patients.

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Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are four closely related but antigenically different serotypes of the virus that can cause dengue (DEN1, DEN 2, DEN 3, DEN 4).

Dengue Fever (DF) – marked by an onset of sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and pain in muscles and joints. Some may also have a rash and varying degree of bleeding from various parts of the body (including nose, mouth and gums or skin bruising).Dengue has a wide spectrum of infection outcome (asymptomatic to symptomatic). Symptomatic illness can vary from dengue fever (DF) to the more serious dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) – is a more severe form, seen only in a small proportion of those infected. DHF is a stereotypic illness characterized by 3 phases; febrile phase with high continuous fever usually lasting for less than 7 days; critical phase (plasma leaking) lasting 1-2 days usually apparent when fever comes down, leading to shock if not detected and treated early; convalescence phase lasting 2-5 days with improvement of appetite, bradycardia (slow heart rate), convalescent rash (white patches in red background), often accompanied by generalized itching (more intense in palms and soles), and diuresis (increase urine output).

Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) — Shock syndrome is a dangerous complication of dengue infection and is associated with high mortality. Severe dengue occurs as a result of secondary infection with a different virus serotype. Increased vascular permeability, together with myocardial dysfunction and dehydration, contribute to the development of shock, with resultant multiorgan failure.