Ho Chi Minh City reports 64% surge in dengue cases, over 17,700 infections

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health recorded 17,718 dengue cases through 31 May, a 64.6% increase compared with the same period last year. All 168 wards reported infections, and more than half of the patients are adults, with the highest incidence among those aged 11‑15 and 16‑30.

Experts link the rise to rapid urbanisation, high population density and climate‑related weather patterns that favour Aedes aegypti breeding. Misunderstandings persist about mosquito habitats, which can thrive in household containers such as flower vases and water trays. Common mistakes—underestimating dengue as mild, self‑treating at home, and assuming recovery once fever drops—can lead to severe complications during the critical 3‑7‑day phase, including shock and organ failure. Health officials advise immediate medical attention for warning signs (high fever, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, cold limbs, bleeding) and recommend a weekly ten‑minute household vector‑control routine (cleaning plant pots, changing water, removing waste, etc.).