Can Tho (VNA) - More than 148,260 cases of dengue fever have been reported across thecountry since the outbreak began earlier this year, of which 30 people havelost their lives.

This number wasprovided by the Ministry of Health during an intensive training workshop on thetreatment of dengue fever and foot, hand and mouth disease in six westernprovinces that have witnessed a marked increase in the number of patients.

The workshop was heldin Can Tho City recently.

Speaking at theworkshop, Associate Professor Luong Ngoc Khue, director of the HealthManagement Department, emphasised that the number of dengue fever cases hadincreased this year due to multiple factors, resulting in overcrowding athospitals and health facilities.

Therefore, the unitsmust actively and continuously improve the quality of medical examination andtreatment to reduce mortality, he said.

Hospitals and healthcentres also need to strengthen and maintain the operation of “dengue fevertreatment groups” and a hotline to regularly consult and exchange informationon specialisations and request for assistance when necessary, Khue said.

According to theHealth Preventive Department, following seven weeks of implementation of activeprevention activities, the number of dengue fever cases in Hanoi has decreasedby 80 percent (from 500 cases to 100 cases per day).

Experts said denguefever in Hanoi has been consistently controlled due to the current drasticanti-epidemic activities.

To prevent anepidemic, the health sector has encouraged people to avoid being subjective andcontinuously inspect and clean water containers to prevent larvae and mosquitobites.

There is also need tocoordinate with health workers and local authorities to take necessary preventivemeasures. -VNA