The number of measles cases is continuously increasing, the Ministry of Health requires monitoring and thoroughly handling the outbreak.
Since the beginning of 2024, 78 cases of rash fever suspected of measles and rubella have been recorded in provinces and cities in the Northern region, including 12 measles cases confirmed in laboratories in 4 provinces.
On March 28, according to information from the Ministry of Health, the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology has just sent a document to the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control of 28 provinces and cities regarding strengthening measles surveillance.
Accordingly, from the beginning of 2024 to now, 78 cases of rash fever suspected of measles and rubella have been recorded in the provinces and cities in the Northern region, including 12 cases of measles confirmed in laboratories in 4 provinces and cities and 10 cases of rubella in 7 provinces and cities. In particular, a cluster of measles cases concentrated in Duc Tho district (Ha Tinh province) has been recorded in children under 10 years old.
To proactively prevent measles/rubella epidemics, the Northern Expanded Immunization Office recommends that disease control centers of provinces and cities strengthen active monitoring of suspected measles and rubella cases, investigate, collect samples for testing or send them to the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology for testing.
For provinces and cities that conduct self-testing, they need to send the results to the Northern Expanded Immunization Office and enter the survey form into the measles/rubella monitoring software; maintain measles vaccination for children aged 9-12 months and measles-rubella vaccination for children aged 18-24 months, ensuring that no subjects are missed.
The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology requires localities to quickly investigate, isolate, collect samples and implement epidemic prevention measures according to regulations if an epidemic occurs in the area.
Regarding the measles cluster in Duc Tho district, after detecting 8 cases of rash fever suspected of measles in Duc Tho town (Duc Tho district, Ha Tinh), the Ha Tinh Center for Disease Control quickly coordinated with local medical forces to deploy epidemic prevention measures to prevent the spread.
The District Health Center also investigated, monitored, supervised, and implemented epidemic prevention measures in the area where the patient was and in two schools. Classes with students suspected of having measles were advised to wear masks, and students showing signs of fatigue or fever were asked to stay home from school and monitor their health at home.
The Ministry of Health cited information from the World Health Organization (WHO), which recently issued a warning about the increase in the number of measles cases and the risk of measles outbreaks in many areas around the world.
According to WHO data, in the European region, the number of cases in 2023 was more than 300,000, an increase of more than 30 times compared to 2022. In the Western Pacific region, the number of measles cases increased by 255% from 2022 to 2023.
Previously, on March 19, the Ministry of Health sent a document to the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities on strengthening measles prevention and control.
To strengthen disease prevention and control, and minimize the risk of measles outbreaks in the coming time, the Ministry of Health requests the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to direct relevant units to strengthen surveillance, early detection of measles cases in the community and medical examination and treatment facilities; and implement measures to thoroughly handle outbreaks as soon as cases are detected.
According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, measles is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the measles virus. To proactively prevent measles, the Department of Preventive Medicine recommends that people:
Take the initiative to take your children from 9 months old who have not been vaccinated against measles or from 18 months old who have not received 2 doses of measles vaccine to the commune or ward health station to get vaccinated against measles.
When detecting signs of fever, cough, runny nose, rash, it is necessary to promptly take the child to the nearest medical facility for timely examination and treatment to prevent complications and severe progression of measles. Limit taking the child to large hospitals to avoid measles infection from the hospital.
Measles is highly contagious, do not let children come near or come into contact with children suspected of having measles. Wash hands frequently with soap when caring for children and ensure measures to improve children's nutrition.