Most children under 9 months old with measles need ventilators.

3 months recorded 3,074 measles cases

According to the report of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Da Nang, in the first 3 months of 2025, the whole city recorded 3,074 measles cases, of which 55.95% were school children, 21.57% were children at home and 14.77% were adults. The age group over 11 years old accounted for 32.82%, children 0-9 months old accounted for 6.25%.

The measles vaccination rate reached 25.73% of measles cases (having received at least 1 dose of vaccine; 6.21% of cases were not old enough to be vaccinated; 14.2% of cases did not remember their vaccination history and 54.03% of cases had not been vaccinated.

The Ministry of Health's Working Group inspected the screening, triage, admission and treatment of measles patients in children and adults at the Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.

As of 5:00 p.m. on March 28, 2025, the progress of measles vaccination for age groups: 6-9 months is 30.92%; 1-5 years old is 26.46%; 6-10 years old is 53.87%.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thi Hoang - Deputy Director of Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital said that from 2024 to now, 1,921 cases of measles have been recorded at the hospital. Of which, 999 cases were recorded in 2024; 922 cases were recorded in 2025. The highest rate of infection is in children under 9 months old, most of whom require mechanical ventilation during treatment.

To respond to the measles epidemic, the hospital has received, classified, and screened measles patients right at the main gate. Currently, the hospital has 4 departments treating measles. Of which, measles cases with critical signs are brought to the emergency department. Mild/moderate measles cases are brought to the Tropical Medicine department.

Along with that, the hospital prescribes appropriate diagnostic tests and promptly detects cases, reviews admission criteria, cares for and treats patients according to the correct protocol, detects early complications and signs of worsening, and provides timely medical intervention and treatment support (IVIG, blood filtration, ECMO, mechanical ventilation, etc.).

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan visited and encouraged the family of a child with measles being treated at the Da Nang Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital.

At the same time, the hospital has advised the Department of Health to classify treatment and transfer to higher levels according to the severity of the disease; proactively advise and vaccinate patients for examination and treatment; classify and manage risks in patients exposed to measles...

However, the hospital is under repair so patients have to be dispersed into 3 areas, leading to difficulties in coordinating human resources and equipment when the number of measles patients increases...

Raising awareness so that people can take their children for vaccination

Highly appreciating the scientific classification and admission at the Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, and the arrangement of a separate area for treating children infected with measles, Dr. Nguyen Trong Khoa - Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (KCB), Ministry of Health said that the hospital needs to closely follow the latest guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of measles just issued by the Ministry of Health.

From there, in order for the hospital to effectively direct the lower-level hospitals, strengthen cross-infection prevention in medical facilities, and focus on ventilation in patient rooms. "The Da Nang Department of Health directs hospitals to review vaccinations for inpatients; promote communication to raise public awareness of measles in mild and moderate cases" - Dr. Nguyen Trong Khoa emphasized.

The working group requested that media units strongly communicate to raise awareness among people to vaccinate their children.

Sharing the same view, Deputy Director of the Department of Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health Vo Hai Son said that up to now, the whole country has recorded over 54,000 cases of measles. The epidemic situation is complicated. To implement synchronous and effective epidemic prevention work, it is necessary to have the participation of local authorities and strong communication to raise awareness among people to vaccinate their children.

Appreciating the hospital's proactive participation in treating measles in particular and infectious diseases in general, especially in triaging, screening, and isolating patients right at the clinic, the Deputy Minister of Health requested the Department of Health and the hospital to strictly implement the telegrams and documents of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Health. In particular, by April 15, after the vaccination campaign ends, any unit that still has cases will be reported to the Government by the Ministry of Health.

The Deputy Minister of Health emphasized that the Department of Health carefully reviewed the subjects for additional vaccination and vaccinated 100% of medical staff who are at high risk of infection during the vaccination campaign.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan spoke at the inspection of screening, triage, admission and treatment of measles patients in children and adults at Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.

The unit has specific plans to prepare for situations and be ready to respond; pays attention to ensuring adequate medicines, medical supplies, and medical equipment appropriate to each level and scale, promptly responding to measles and other infectious diseases in all situations.

The Department of Health, Hospitals and related units must strengthen multimedia communication, information must be accurate so that people can better understand the epidemic, vaccinate their children, and prevent measles infection.

“The Department of Health and Da Nang City need to review the subjects in the campaign age group to vaccinate enough and the right subjects. The number of vaccines needs to be allocated to the Department of Disease Prevention to direct the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang to provide enough to meet vaccination coverage. In addition, the Department of Health should strengthen forecasting of the risk of measles and other epidemics to promptly respond to early and timely epidemic prevention,” the Deputy Minister of Health noted.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/hau-het-tre-duoi-9-thang-tuoi-mac-soi-deu-phai-tho-may.html