Hai Phong: proactively responding to the risk of measles outbreak

Kinhtedothi-The measles epidemic continues to develop complicatedly in many provinces and cities across the country. According to statistics from the Hai Phong Department of Health, from January 1 to March 24, 2025, the city recorded 382 cases of rash fever suspected of measles (266 positive cases) in 14/15 districts, towns and cities (except Bach Long Vy), currently no outbreaks have been recorded.

Báo Kinh tế và Đô thị•27/03/2025

Currently, there are 107 patients being treated at 10 medical facilities in the city, with no serious cases.

On average, the number of cases has been sporadic since the beginning of the year and has increased rapidly recently (weeks 11-13), recording about 27 cases/day. Of which, the highest number of cases are in children over 10 years old (26.2%), the group of children under vaccination age (under 9 months old) accounts for 14.9%; 60.2% of cases have not been vaccinated against measles. Of which, the group of children within vaccination age but not vaccinated against measles accounts for the highest rate (45.3%), the group under vaccination age (under 9 months old) accounts for 14.9%.

According to the Department of Health, measles is highly contagious through the respiratory tract, especially in crowded environments such as schools and residential areas. Hai Phong is a large city with a high rate of population change, increasing the risk of spreading and outbreaks. Although the measles vaccination rate has reached a high level in recent years (2020: 97.73%; 2021: 95.98%; 2022: 89.65%; 2023: 96.96%; 2024: 97.26%), there are still some children who have not been fully vaccinated, reducing community immunity.

Thus, every year, about 4% of children (equivalent to 1,000 children) of vaccination age have not been vaccinated against measles. In particular, children under 9 months of age who have not been vaccinated and have not received immunity from their mothers are at high risk of the disease, contributing to the spread of the virus in the community.

In the face of the above situation, the Department of Health directed medical centers to review subjects, propose needs and strengthen vaccination against measles for children aged 6-9 months and 1-10 years old; directed the City Center for Disease Control to organize training on measles prevention and control for 100 medical staff at district medical centers.

Coordinate with the Department of Education and Training to provide training on case monitoring and environmental disinfection in educational institutions; disseminate and guide the implementation plan of the measles vaccination campaign for education department staff, principals and preschool and primary school teachers.

Organize training on treatment regimens and emergency patient handling for medical staff working in examination, diagnosis and treatment of measles at medical facilities in the city.

Medical examination and treatment facilities are ready to arrange hospital beds to receive patients; review and ensure logistics, medicine, supplies, chemicals, equipment, human resources... to serve admission, isolation, treatment, and prevention of cross-infection in hospitals; regularly organize inspections and supervision of admission and treatment...

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/hai-phong-chu-dong-ung-pho-voi-nguy-co-bung-phat-dich-soi.html