The Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued a grave warning as the nation grapples with a staggering 22,974 reported cases of dengue fever in the first five months of 2025, alongside five fatalities. This surge comes amidst overlapping outbreaks of other diseases, including hand-foot-and-mouth disease and COVID-19, intensifying the health crisis.

In response, the MoH has urgently directed enhanced leadership and boosted surveillance measures to tackle the increasing mortality linked to dengue.

Cycling Out of Control: Dengue's New Patterns

Historically, dengue fever adhered to a predictable outbreak cycle, hitting hard roughly every five years. However, health experts are alarmed by a shift in these patterns. No longer confined to well-defined seasons, dengue cases are now seeing a troubling increase across various regions.

At a recent online seminar organized by the MoH and Takeda Vietnam Pharmaceuticals, titled "Towards Zero Dengue Deaths: Collective Prevention Strategies," experts elaborated on the changing face of dengue.

Urbanization Fuels Epidemic Growth

Dr. Vo Hai Son, deputy director of the Vietnam Administration of Disease Prevention, emphasized that urbanization and increased regional mobility have accelerated the spread of the virus. Instead of the earlier five-year cycle, high incidences of cases are now occurring approximately every two years.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Thai from the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology added that dengue's reach now spans even the remote mountainous areas, previously deemed safe. This represents a significant shift in the disease's landscape, necessitating heightened awareness and response.

Don't Ignore the Symptoms: Risk of Misdiagnosis

Despite improved public awareness, many still mishandle dengue, leading to tragic late-stage hospitalizations. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Duy Cuong from the Bach Mai Institute of Tropical Medicine noted that symptoms can often mimic other illnesses like the flu.

He recounted a case of a male student from the countryside who delayed seeking medical care until his condition deteriorated to shock, showcasing how negligence can lead to severe complications.

Pushing for Comprehensive Strategies

To combat the increasingly complicated dengue landscape, experts underline the importance of a multi-faceted strategy. This should encompass vector control, robust surveillance, early warning systems, and community education.

MSc. Dr. Vo Hai Son advocated for community-level engagement to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, stressing that high-rise apartments are not immune to dengue threats as mosquitoes can easily breed at various levels.

Collaboration is Key: A Call to Action

Benjamin Ping, general manager of Takeda, highlighted the necessity for collective action involving governments, health sectors, businesses, and communities. He reassured the audience of Takeda's commitment to enhancing healthcare capacity and public health communication.

Vaccination is emerging as a crucial preventive measure, with the WHO endorsing Takeda's dengue vaccine for populations in high-risk regions. Approved in 40 countries, over 15 million doses have already been distributed.

Stay Informed: The Path Forward

As dengue fever remains a relentless threat, robust health education campaigns will be vital in ensuring public understanding of the disease and its symptoms. Timely medical intervention can significantly alter outcomes. It’s crucial to treat this warning as a call to action—applying collective efforts to ensure that this year does not become another chapter of rising dengue fatalities.