In the first 28 weeks of this year, health officials reported 527,517 cases, or 97 per cent of the total reported during the entire season starting in epidemiological week 31 of 2023, according to the Ministry's latest National Epidemiological Bulletin released on Sunday.

So far 401 patients have died from dengue this year, Xinhua news agency reported.

The highest number of cases was reported in the central region, accounting for 60 per cent of the total, compared with 24.9 per cent for the northwest and 13 per cent for the northeast.

At present, the incidence rate stands at 1,157 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, declining for 14 weeks, said the report.