Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc ordered local authorities to raise awareness of the dengue feveroutbreak and urge citizens to destroy mosquitoes and larva.

In his recent notice on dengue control, thePM asked the People’s Committees of all cities and provinces to assignlower-level governments tasks to prevent the disease in their areas, intensifyinspections at high-risk locations and penalise individuals and organisations thatfail to take precautions.

Notably, he urged increased control ofmosquitoes at construction sites and boarding houses which aren’t cleanedregularly, good conditions for mosquito larvae development.

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The Ministry of Health was assigned todetect sources of infections, take preventive measures and provide training forhealthcare workers on treating the disease.

The Ministry of Information andCommunications and media agencies were asked to coordinate with the Ministry ofHealth to update the public on disease development and precautions.

There are outbreaks of dengue fever in manycountries, including Vietnam where more than 58,000 cases have been reportedsince the beginning of 2017, with some 49,000 people hospitalised – an increaseof 11.2 percent from the same period last year – and 17 deaths, the notice said.

Dengue hotspots include HCM City, Hanoi, DaNang, Quang Nam, Binh Thuan, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, An Giang, Tra Vinh, Ca Mau,Tay Ninh, Soc Trang, Tien Giang and Nam Dinh, it added.

Dengue fever is a viral infectiontransmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no specific treatmentfor dengue and vaccination options are limited.

Patients who develop a sudden high fever of 39-40 degrees Celsius, lasting 2-7days and with symptoms of headaches, tenderness and skin rashes should visit ahospital for diagnosis and treatment.

Recommended precations include destroying habitats where mosquitoes breed,ensuring a clean living environment, using mosquito repellents and wearinglong-sleeved shirts and pants.-VNA