By the end of July 28, the Southern region had 1,147 cases of rash fever suspected of measles reported, 5.5 times higher than the same period in 2023.
Measles cases on the rise
According to statistics from the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, by the end of July 28, the Southern region had 1,147 cases of rash fever suspected of measles reported, of which 481 cases tested positive; the number of rash fever cases suspected of measles increased 5.5 times compared to the same period in 2023.
According to reports from hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, as of August 4, there were 505 cases of rash fever suspected of measles, of which 262 tested positive; more than 50% were cases from other provinces and cities coming to Ho Chi Minh City for examination and treatment.
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| The number of measles cases in Ho Chi Minh City in particular and the Southern region in general is increasing. |
In Ho Chi Minh City alone, there were 201 cases of suspected measles rash fever, of which 116 tested positive. Meanwhile, from 2021 to 2023, Ho Chi Minh City had only 1 positive test case.
Currently, Ho Chi Minh City has 48 wards and communes in 14 districts with confirmed measles cases; 8 districts have 2 or more wards and communes with cases. Of the 116 confirmed cases, 27.6% are children under 9 months old, 78.4% are children under 5 years old. The number of patients who have not been vaccinated or have not received 2 doses of measles vaccine accounts for 66% and up to 30% have unknown vaccination history.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, during this outbreak, Ho Chi Minh City hospitals have recorded up to 3 deaths related to measles. All 3 children had chronic diseases, leading to serious complications when contracting measles and died despite active treatment.
Health sector actively responds
Faced with the rapid increase in the number of measles cases in Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces, the Department of Health has directed many drastic measures to control the spread of the disease in Ho Chi Minh City, and control the number of severe complications and deaths.
Accordingly, the Department of Health directed the District and Thu Duc City Health Centers, and commune and ward health stations to promote catch-up and catch-up vaccination activities for children in the vaccination age range. Actively screen children living in the area and advise families to take their children to get vaccinated against measles and other vaccines in the Expanded Immunization Program.
At the same time, direct the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control to coordinate with relevant agencies and units to effectively deploy the disease surveillance network, vaccination activities and disease prevention communication.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, hospitals need to strictly implement infection control regulations to prevent cross-infection in hospitals; ensure adequate reserves of treatment drugs, infusion fluids, equipment, etc. to serve the work of admitting and treating patients.
“Hospitals managing patients need to review vaccination history for patients with congenital diseases and underlying diseases; organize vaccination at the hospital for children who are eligible for vaccination and provide vaccination consultation for relatives of children who are not eligible,” the Department of Health informed.
In addition, the Department of Health has advised the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to issue a plan to proactively respond to the measles epidemic and organize a campaign to provide additional measles vaccination for children aged 1-5 years regardless of vaccination history, according to the recommendations of experts from the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Ho Chi Minh City public health experts.
Source: https://baodautu.vn/so-ca-sot-phat-ban-nghi-soi-khu-vuc-phia-nam-tang-gap-55-lan-d222245.html
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