Directive No. 26/2004/CT-TTg on Strengthening Work to Prevent and Control Dengue Fever Epidemics

 DIRECTIVE

On Strengthening Work to Prevent and Control Dengue Fever Epidemics Dengue Fever

____________________

According to the World Health Organization's announcement, the dengue fever epidemic in some countries in the Asia region is currently complicated and showing an increasing trend. In Indonesia, from January 1 to June 1, 2004, there were 59,321 cases recorded in 30 provinces, including 669 deaths, with a mortality rate of 1.27% compared to the number of cases. Some other countries in the Asia region also recorded high patient death rates such as the Philippines (0.7%) and Sri Lanka (0.6%).

In our country, according to the Ministry of Health's report, the dengue fever epidemic continues to evolve with the risk of spreading more widely and becoming more complex, especially in southern provinces. As of June 24, 2004, the entire country had recorded 20,101 cases, 35 deaths, and the number of cases increased by 104.8% compared to the same period in 2003.

Following the urgent letter No. 828/CP-VX dated June 15, 2004, of the Prime Minister on directing work to prevent and control diseases for humans, to urgently continue to strengthen measures to control the epidemic and prevent it from escalating into a large-scale epidemic, the Prime Minister instructs:

1. Chairpersons of People's Committees at provincial and centrally-administered city levels shall directly direct lower-level People's Committees to immediately implement and sign commitments to urgently control the epidemic within their jurisdictions; mobilize departments, sectors, and mass organizations to cooperate with the health sector in implementing campaigns to eliminate mosquitoes and mosquito larvae (wrigglers) to prevent dengue fever, and take decisive measures against districts and communes where the epidemic spreads and persists. Develop plans to balance budgets and mobilize local resources to fund prevention and control activities.

2. Ministers of Planning and Investment, Finance shall coordinate with the Minister of Health to budget funds and promptly supplement funds in a timely manner to ensure effective prevention and control efforts.

3. The Minister of Health shall continue to direct Departments of Health and subordinate units to strictly inspect and monitor, detect early, and promptly treat cases; develop plans for hospitalization and tiered treatment to avoid overloading upper-tier hospitals; prepare all necessary resources, medicines, and infusions to handle large-scale epidemics; coordinate with the Chairpersons of People's Committees at provincial and centrally-administered city levels, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Minister  of Education and Training to direct the implementation of campaigns to thoroughly and extensively eliminate mosquito larvae (wrigglers) down to each household under the guidance of the health sector;

4. The Minister of Education and  Training shall direct Departments of Education and Training to mobilize primary and secondary school students to participate in mosquito and mosquito larvae (wrigglers) elimination activities at home and in the community according to health sector guidelines, considering this as part of summer activities for students at all levels;

5. The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall coordinate with relevant ministries, departments, People's Committees at provincial and centrally-administered city levels, political and social organizations, and mass organizations to strengthen information, education, and communication work through diverse and rich forms to enhance community awareness in preventing and controlling dengue fever;

6. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of People's Committees at provincial and centrally-administered city levels are responsible for strictly directing and implementing this Directive and regularly reporting results to the Ministry of Health for consolidation and reporting to the Prime Minister. /.