Up to 11,950 people from the provinces have been infected with the mosquito-transmitted disease and 14 have died, said Ho Chi Minh City’s Pasteur Institute.

The Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang currently tops the regional casualty with 1,812 infected cases and four deaths.

The number of patients infected has not been alarmingly high in several of these provinces, but the death tolls are high, the institute’s doctors stressed.

“This year has seen several changes in climate so another epidemic is likely on the way in coming months.  Strong precautions should be taken,” warned Director of Can Tho Preventive Health Center Dr. Nguyen Trung Nghia.

Provincial health authorities will convene a meeting July 18 to discuss measures to combat the probable second outbreak.

Reported by Quang Minh Nhat – Translated by Ngoc Hanh