Checking the work of preventing and controlling measles in Da Nang city

Reporting to the inspection team, Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thi Hoang, Deputy Director of Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, said that from November 2024 to March 27, 2025, Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital admitted and treated 1,921 measles cases.

Currently, the Hospital has 4 departments treating measles, including the Department of Tropical Medicine treating mild and moderate measles, requiring oxygen support; the Department of Pediatrics voluntarily switching to treat mild measles; the Pediatric Intensive Care Department treating severe measles cases, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and CPAP; the Department of Neonatal Intensive Care and Pathology treating children with measles < 29 days old from mild to intensive care.

To effectively carry out the work of admission, treatment and prevention of cross-infection in the hospital, the Hospital has classified measles patients as soon as they enter the main lobby of the hospital; deployed isolation areas; classified patient admission; prepared personnel, equipment, supplies, medicines, and infusion fluids.

Regarding the measles epidemic in Da Nang, Director of the Da Nang Center for Disease Control Nguyen Dai Vinh said that as of March 28, 2025, the entire city recorded 3,074 cases of rash fever suspected of measles (1,845 cases have not yet had results, accounting for 60.01%). Number of positive measles cases: 851 cases. The number of rash fever cases suspected of measles per 100,000 people is 253.31 cases.

Characteristics of suspected measles rash cases in 2025 were that 25.73% of measles cases had received at least 1 dose of vaccine; 6.21% of cases were under the age of vaccination, 14.2% of cases did not remember vaccination history and 54.03% of cases had not received vaccination.

The age of suspected measles rash fever cases is children <9 months old accounting for 6.21%; children 9 months - 24 months old accounting for 11.59%; children >24 months - 5 years old accounting for 17.96%; children >5 years old - 11 years old accounting for 31.23% and people >11 years old accounting for 32.82%.

The working delegation of Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan visited and inspected the medical examination and screening area, the measles patient examination area, and the inpatient treatment area at the Da Nang Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital. (Photo: ANH DAO)

After directly inspecting some departments that are admitting and treating measles at the Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan acknowledged and highly appreciated the work of epidemic prevention, control, admission and treatment in Da Nang.

At the same time, it should be noted that Da Nang has prepared well for epidemic response work. However, Da Nang is a locality with a large number of immigrants, so it is necessary to be ready to respond to epidemics in all situations, not only with measles but also with other infectious diseases.

Hospitals need to develop response procedures when detecting infected or suspected cases, from triage, isolation, treatment to infection control, to minimize cross-infection in medical facilities.

Units need to continue to closely follow and strictly implement the Prime Minister's instructions as well as the Ministry of Health's guidelines. Strengthen training, education, and professional support for lower levels, especially in the skills of detecting, diagnosing, and treating measles as well as other infectious diseases that are circulating. Treatment rooms should be well ventilated for children.

The Deputy Minister requested the Da Nang Center for Disease Control to anticipate all situations and speed up measles vaccination to prevent outbreaks. The Da Nang health sector and hospitals must prepare adequate medicines and medical equipment to serve the work of admitting and treating patients.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/kiem-tra-cong-tac-phong-chong-dich-soi-tai-thanh-pho-da-nang-post868734.html