Number of measles cases increased 8 times, Ministry of Health recommends 5 preventive measures

Closely monitor the measles epidemic situation, proactively monitor and detect early.

Also related to the measles epidemic, most recently, on August 27, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee officially announced a measles epidemic, a group B infectious disease.

In order to proactively take measures to prevent and control the epidemic, minimize the spread in the community and quickly control and repel the measles epidemic, the Ministry of Health has issued Decision 2495/QD-BYT on the implementation of the measles vaccination campaign in 2024, including the campaign vaccine sponsored by the Australian Government; At the same time, the Ministry of Health has issued official dispatches on proactively implementing epidemic prevention and control during the school year; official dispatches on implementing measles vaccination along with the Ministry of Health's instructions and recommendations on measles prevention and control.

The Ministry of Health has closely coordinated with the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, relevant ministries, branches and units to focus on directing the drastic implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures.

Other localities need to continue to closely monitor the development of the epidemic situation; proactively monitor, detect early, thoroughly handle outbreaks and regularly assess risks, analyze the situation and propose timely and effective measures; proactively coordinate with neighboring localities to share and update information on the epidemic situation and synchronously deploy epidemic prevention and control measures, not allowing the epidemic to spread and break out in the area; continue to promote vaccination to prevent and control measles.

Vaccination is an effective measure to prevent measles.

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, measles is a group B infectious disease caused by the measles virus. The disease is common in children under 5 years old or can also occur in adults, due to not being vaccinated against measles or not being vaccinated enough. There is no specific treatment for measles, it is easily spread through the respiratory tract through droplets of an infected person or through direct contact, through hands contaminated with the patient's secretions.

Crowded places such as public places, schools... have a very high risk of spreading measles. Measles epidemics usually occur in cycles of 3-5 years. Vaccination is an effective measure to prevent the disease. The disease can only be stopped when the immunity rate in the community reaches >95%.

Therefore, to prevent measles, the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health recommends:

1. Take the initiative to take children from 9 months to 2 years old who have not been vaccinated or have not received 2 doses of measles vaccine to get fully vaccinated on schedule.

2. 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.

3. Keep your child's body, nose, throat, eyes and mouth clean every day. Make sure your house and toilet are clean and well-ventilated. Improve your child's nutrition.

4. Nursery schools, kindergartens, and schools with large concentrations of children must be kept clean and well-ventilated; toys, learning tools, and classrooms must be regularly disinfected with common disinfectants.

5. When detecting signs of fever, cough, runny nose, rash, it is necessary to isolate the child early and take him/her to the nearest medical facility for examination and timely treatment advice. Do not take the child for treatment beyond the level of the hospital when not necessary to avoid hospital overload and cross-infection in the hospital.