Dengue cases surge among children in Ho Chi Minh City as rainy season approaches

Health officials in Ho Chi Minh City report a rising number of dengue fever cases among children as the rainy season and school term begin, increasing the risk of multiple disease outbreaks. The city's Children's Hospital No. 2 is treating around 30 pediatric dengue patients, including 12 inpatients, with four to five cases classified as severe, requiring intensive care such as mechanical ventilation and abdominal drainage.

Doctors note that the typical five‑year dengue cycle appears to be shortening to about three years, leading to a higher concentration of severe cases. Overweight or obese children and infants under 12 months are identified as the groups most vulnerable to severe disease, which can present with atypical symptoms that mimic respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, complicating early diagnosis.

The hospital emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance and preventive measures as weather patterns become more erratic, creating conditions conducive to the spread of dengue and other infections.