Background: In Vietnam, Dengue Fever/Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DF/DHF) is one of ten contagious diseases causing epidemics with the highest prevalence.\r\n', u'Objectives: To describe some characteristics of DF/DHF epidemic in Khanhhoa province in 2005. \r\n', u'Subjects and methods: The descriptive study based on available data obtained from the surveillance reporting system.\r\n', u'Results: Total reported cases were: 5.365 (morbidity rate = 469.58 per 100.000) and 4 deaths (CFR = 0,074%).446 of 1.661 Mac Elisa tested cases were positives (positively = 26.9%). The positive cases in male were higher than that in female. Almost all of the positive cases were less than 15 years of age. Virus serotype D1 and D2 were isolated in the epidemic. 5 of 7 districts (except 2 mountainous districts) had outbreaks. The epidemic started in April and stopped in December. Ninhhoa district was the first location of the outbreak and Vanninh district was the last one. Geographical distribution of the epidemic was as follows: costal communes=54.6%, delta communes = 30.3%, urban communes =15.1%. The epidemic level was medium (>20% - <50% of communes having the epidemic). "Pilot intervention communes" had 4 times the higher risk of DF/DHF than "non pilot intervention communes". \r\n', u'Conclusions: IEC activities for preventing DF/DHF should be strengthened. For maintaining the low mosquito and breutau index, we need routine preventive actions. Authorities need to consider and to consolidate the activities of Pilot intervention communes. Coastal communes should be supplied with running water. \r\n', u'\r\n', u'
dengue fever/dengue haemorrhagic fever ; epidemic