There is an observable risk that some dangerous infectious diseasescurrently prevalent somewhere else in the globe, especially theMiddle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), may make their way toVietnam, according to the Ministry of Health’s General Department ofPreventive Medicine.

At a workshop with the media in the northerncity of Hai Phong on June 4, Director of the department Tran Dac Phuconfirmed that no MERS-CoV cases have yet been recorded in the country,as that of avian influenza type A strains H7N9 and H5N6, which hit Chinalast year.

However, flu virus H5N1 has caused the death of two people so far this year, Phu said.

He reported that measles has been managed, evidenced by decreases inboth fatality and new patients. A fall has also been seen in the numberof patients suffering from other infectious diseases.

Theministry has so far this year recorded 9,746 dengue cases in 42 of the63 cities and provinces with seven deaths, down 40.8 percent in thepatient number and four deaths from a year earlier.

There havebeen 24,730 hand-foot-mouth patients in 62 provinces with two deathsreported, down 13.9 percent in the case number and seven deaths againstlast year’s same period.

Meanwhile, with 5,031 cases so far,measles has appeared in all the localities across the country, yet ithas eased in recent weeks.

The official, however, warned thatthe current summertime is favourable for such catching diseases likehand-foot-mouth and dengue fever to spread.

He added travellingacross regions and neighbouring countries amid poor hygiene conditionsalso poses a risk of disease outbreak.

At the workshop, participants were updated on measures to prevent the diseases.

The department announced that its will closely supervise thesituation, take intensive actions at vulnerable areas and step uppublicity campaigns to raise public awareness of the issue.-VNA