Strengthening measles prevention and control in medical examination and treatment facilities in Ho Chi Minh City

Recently, the Ministry of Health sent a document to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health on strengthening measles prevention and control in medical examination and treatment facilities.

From May 23 to August 12, Ho Chi Minh City recorded 597 cases of rash fever suspected of measles. Of these, 346 cases tested positive for measles. Of the measles cases, about 50% were patients transferred from other provinces.

According to the City Center for Disease Control (HCDC), measles has appeared in 57 wards, communes, and 16 districts. Of which, 9 districts have 2 or more cases; 3 districts with the highest number of measles cases are Binh Chanh district, Hoc Mon district, and Binh Tan district. Notably, in 2024, Ho Chi Minh City recorded 3 deaths due to measles.

The Ministry of Health requires strengthening measles prevention and control in medical examination and treatment facilities in Ho Chi Minh City.

To ensure safety and minimize measles infection in medical examination and treatment facilities, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health) requests the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health to urgently and effectively implement activities to prevent and control measles infection, including vaccination activities.

At the same time, direct affiliated medical examination and treatment facilities to effectively carry out the work of admitting and promptly treating measles patients, minimizing cases of severe illness and death.

Accordingly, Ho Chi Minh City needs to prepare a plan to prevent and respond to epidemics according to the level and scale of the epidemic; issue instructions and response procedures when there are cases of infected or suspected measles coming to the unit for examination and prepare resources, isolation areas for treatment or temporary isolation for infected or suspected measles patients...

The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management requires medical examination and treatment units to strengthen screening activities, early detection and timely isolation of infected or suspected measles cases; mild cases without complications can be instructed to isolate and treat at home or at medical stations.

In addition, facilities should immediately isolate patients suspected or diagnosed with measles in a well-ventilated isolation room, away from other patient rooms or crowded areas.

“Limit the number of visitors and only allow those who have been fully vaccinated against measles to visit patients with measles. At the same time, strengthen inspection, supervision, and support compliance with regulations and procedures on measles prevention and control by medical staff, patients, and patients' relatives,” the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management requested.

In addition, Ho Chi Minh City needs to strengthen communication measures on infection prevention, detection and treatment of suspected measles cases for medical staff, people in the community and medical examination and treatment facilities.

Along with that, affiliated medical examination and treatment facilities need to train medical staff on screening, examination, treatment, care and control of measles infection to be ready in case of an epidemic in the medical examination and treatment facility.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/tang-cuong-phong-va-kiem-soat-lay-nhiem-soi-trong-co-so-kham-chua-benh-tai-tphcm-d222889.html