HO CHI MINH CITY, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Dengue fever is a big concern in Ho Chi Minh City as the number of severe cases in January-May has been seven times as high as the same period last year, Vietnam News Agency cited local health authorities as saying on Thursday.

Major dengue fever outbreaks are likely to occur, according to Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Health.

Littering at schools may encourage the spread of the disease, as plastic trash can be a place where water could stagnate, vice chairman of the city People's Committee Duong Anh Duc said, urging schools to enhance hygiene measures on campus.

The southern city has recorded more than 10,000 dengue fever infections this year, surging 46.4 percent year on year, said a recent report by local newspaper Tuoi Tre.

Seven people have died from the disease in the five-month period in the southern business hub, while the number of infections has been increasing in 20 of the 22 districts of the city.

From May 20 to May 26 alone, 121 new dengue outbreaks were reported in 71 communes, the report said.

In the first five months of this year, Vietnam has reported 25,861 cases of dengue fever, including 13 deaths, according to the country's General Statistics Office. Enditem

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