According to figures released by the Hanoi Department of Health, the number of dengue fever cases in the capital from October 19 to October 25 reached 452, representing a rise of 82 cases from the previous week.

The outbreaks were spread across 188 communes, wards, and towns of the capital, with Hanoi recording a total of 4,499 cases of dengue fever, including two deaths.

Furthermore, the number of individuals infected with hand-foot-mouth disease (HFM) has witnessed a sharp decline, with only 49 new cases reported between October 19 and October 25, a decline of 58 cases from the previous week.

Since the beginning of this year, the capital has witnessed 2,936 HFM cases, although no deaths have been reported.

According to a statement issued by the health department, Hanoi is currently in the midst of the peak season of the disease, largely due to spells of heavy downpours which serve to create favourable conditions in which mosquitoes are able to thrive and easily spread dengue fever.

In line with this threat, the department therefore urges all local citizens to take effective preventative measures relating to environmental sanitation, with the ultimate aim of eliminating mosquito larvae. This should be done whilst also spraying chemicals in a bid to further halt the potential spread of the disease.