Vietnam has been battling raging dengue fever outbreaks,with more than 10,000 new infections reported over the past week stretching its medical system. The Ministry of Health says the number of admitted patients represents a 42 percent increase over the same period last year along with seven more deaths. The country has recorded 90,626 dengue fever infections, of whom 76,848 are hospitalized and 24 have died. The ministry attributed the rise of dengue outbreaks to higher temperatures, more rains and rapid urbanization that promote the breeding of virus-carrying mosquitoes. The capital Hanoi and the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City are the hardest hit.