Chemical spraying to kill mosquitoes and larvae. (Source: VNA)

As many as 11,000 dengue fever cases were reported in Ho Chi Minh City as of mid-September, up 32 percent against the same period last year.

According to the municipal preventative health centre, the city recorded over 500 new cases of dengue every week. The number of new cases is likely to be higher than that of last year if timely precautionary measures are not taken.

In total, since the beginning of this year, the city has recorded 11,860 dengue fever cases, up 32 percent from the same period last year. The city's health authorities warned people not to be panic and pay attention to their health as well as act to kill mosquitoes.

The centre forecast that the number of people infected with the disease will continue to rise in the remaining months of the year, with the peak in October or November when the southern region has the largest rainfall.

In addition, the disease caused by Zika virus is also the major concern of the city as a German living in District 2 has been infected with Zika virus recently.

Director of the centre Nguyen Tri Dung said the city is meeting with difficulties in detecting and preventing the virus because of locals' poor awareness of disease prevention.

Through its recent surveys, the centre has located high-risk areas for diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, mainly in Thu Duc, Binh Chanh and Hoc Mon districts.

The centre recommended that people work closely with the health sector to take measures to kill mosquitoes and larvae.

For people returning from areas with high rates of dengue cases, they are asked to monitor their health, avoid being bitten by mosquitoes in 14 days and consult health centres if necessary.

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