Dengue Fever Outbreak Vietnam

There have been 16 deaths reported in Vietnam from dengue fever since June 2013, over 25000 cases reported nationally which is an increase of 25% since the previous year. The most cases have been reported from the Phu Yen area north of Nha Trang, a very popular tourist destination on the East coast.

What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue Fever is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito more commonly in daylight hours. It is common in tropical and subtropical areas of the world including Vietnam. After an incubation period of about a week, those infected usually experience a fever (high temperatures) followed by other flu-like symptoms and a rash. Dengue Fever usually clears up after about a week, however in some severe cases this will develop into Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever which results in bleeding and high blood pressure. If left untreated this can have a mortality rate of up to 40%, however with proper treatment fatality rates are around 1%-2%.

Avoiding Dengue Fever

Bite avoidance and prevention precaution must be taken which includes covering up exposed skin and using insect repellant such as DEET 50%. There is no vaccination fro dengue fever.