Since the beginning of this year, more than 100,000 people in Vietnam's 63 provinces and cities have contracted hand-foot-mouth disease and 40 have died. More than 51,000 patients have also been infected with dengue fever, mostly in the southern region, which has resulted in 42 deaths.

The increase in the number of infectious diseases is attributed to poor personal hygiene, inadequate sanitation and ineffective preventive measures.

The conference was held in response to the Prime Minister’s telegram on curbing the spread of human influenza A/H5N1, hand-foot-mouth disease, and dengue fever.

More than 5,500 delegates representing ministries, central agencies and healthcare departments from across the country participated in the event.