Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Vietnam latest news - Thanh Nien Daily | Dengue fever pandemic expected in southern Vietnam

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Vietnam latest news - Thanh Nien Daily | Dengue fever pandemic expected in southern Vietnam

Dengue fever pandemic expected in southern Vietnam

Last Updated: Monday, August 06, 2012 05:00:00

Experts predict dengue fever will reach pandemic proportions in the southern region, where it has claimed 21 lives among 35,732 cases so far this year, according to a report on Lao Dong newspaper Monday.

According to the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, cases of dengue fever are increasing at an alarming rate within the region, with HCMC, Dong Nai, Ben Tre and Can Tho claiming the most infections.
With the disease at its seasonal peak, the likelihood that it will become a pandemic is high, as the southern region has entered the rainy season, it said.
Statistics show that up to 2,001 dengue fever infections were reported in the south in one week alone, between July 23 and 29.
The region's 35,732 infections represent a 20 percent increase compared to last year.
As of the end of July, HCMC had recorded more than 5,600 cases of dengue fever, while Dong Nai and Ben Tre provinces had seen over 3,000 and 1,200 cases, respectively.
The HCMC People’s Committee instructed authorities from 24 districts to work closely with the health sector to implement measures to prevent and curtail the spread of dengue fever.

The HCMC Health Department was asked to increase inspections and intensify their monitoring of the preventive measures being taken and the development of the disease in general.
According to the Pasteur Institute, dengue fever can be prevented if local residents maintain hygienic conditions within their homes which can drastically reduce the presence of mosquitoes.

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.