Strengthening prevention and control of infectious diseases during the 2026 Lunar New Year

On January 30, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Thuong, Deputy Director of the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, chaired an online meeting with southern provinces to strengthen surveillance and prevention and control of infectious diseases during the 2026 Lunar New Year.

Delegates attend the conference at the Dong Nai online point of presence. Photo: Hanh Dung

According to a report by the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, in the first four weeks of 2026, the number of dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease cases in southern Vietnam declined but remained high. Notably, three dengue-related deaths were recorded in Dong Nai Province; two deaths from hand, foot and mouth disease were reported in Dong Nai and An Giang provinces. The number of severe hand, foot and mouth disease cases increased sharply compared with previous years, while the proportion of patients testing positive for the EV71 virus (a strain prone to causing neurological complications and death) was very high.

Representatives of the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City noted that in the early weeks of 2026, some localities, seeing a decrease in dengue cases, became somewhat complacent in disease prevention efforts. In several areas, outbreak response was inadequate in terms of treatment radius, or there was a lack of equipment for large-scale disinfection spraying.

Regarding the emerging disease caused by the Nipah virus, as of now, Vietnam has not recorded any cases. This is a Group A infectious disease transmitted from animals (with fruit bats as the reservoir), contaminated food, or from person to person. There is currently no specific treatment or preventive vaccine. To prevent a Nipah virus outbreak, the Ministry of Health has issued documents requesting localities to strengthen surveillance at border gates, healthcare facilities, and in the community, while also ensuring readiness for emergency medical response measures.

Concluding the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Thuong, Deputy Director of the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that southern localities must not be negligent or complacent regarding infectious diseases, especially dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease. Proactive implementation of surveillance, prevention, warning, early detection, and adequate preparation of medicines and medical equipment is required to support treatment and minimize severe cases and deaths.

For the Nipah virus, the leadership of the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City advised that local authorities and the public should neither be complacent nor panic. Provincial Departments of Health need to provide strong direction and close supervision, continue organizing training, and enhance the capacity of healthcare workers to ensure rapid response.

Localities should continue to effectively implement infectious disease prevention and control measures and enhance treatment capacity at healthcare facilities, thereby helping people welcome the 2026 Lunar New Year in good health, joy, and safety.

By Hanh Dung - Translated by Quynh Nhu, Thu Ha