Measles cases increase locally
Quang Nam province has recorded 2 cases of child death suspected of measles in Nam Tra My district. Both cases had symptoms of high fever, cough and diarrhea, but the family did not take the child to a medical facility but worshiped at home, leading to exhaustion and death. Reversal
From January 25 to March 10, Nam Tra My district recorded 255 cases of children with symptoms of fever and rash, of which 19 cases were confirmed positive for measles virus. Currently, 104 children are being treated at medical facilities in the area, the general condition is alertness, reduced fever, and cough.
The Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases receives treatment for many children with measles, most of whom are children under 1 year old, some of whom have severe complications and are at high risk of death.
A typical example is the case of baby L.T.C (8 months old in Ha Giang), admitted to the hospital with a high fever of 39 degrees Celsius, accompanied by a lot of coughing, vomiting and diarrhea.
Previously, the family thought the child had conventional sore throat and took him to a medical facility for examination and treatment, but the condition did not improve. After 3 days, the child had a high fever and started to develop redness from the face to the torso and limbs.
Due to the disease not improving, the family took the baby to the Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases for treatment. Here, the child was diagnosed with measles.
In Hanoi, according to the City Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the past week (from February 28 to March 7), the whole city recorded 120 cases of measles, 0 deaths.
Hanoi CDC is closely coordinating with relevant units to monitor the epidemic situation, promptly detect cases to organize investigation, isolation and handling of the epidemic. At the same time, Hanoi CDC also closely monitors the implementation of measles vaccination campaigns for children aged 6 to under 9 months in districts and towns.
As of March 6, 2025, all 30 districts, towns and cities in Hanoi have organized vaccination campaigns, with 12,272/19,546 children vaccinated (63% compared to the total number of children vaccinated). Of which, 10,073 children were vaccinated at health stations and 2,199 children were vaccinated at service facilities.
Next week, districts and towns will continue to implement measles vaccination.
The disease affects all year round, no subjectivity
Doctor Le Thi Thu Hien - Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases shared: In Vietnam, measles is rampant all year round, most severe at the time of changing seasons with complex and erratic weather characteristics. Measles is not necessarily a benign disease, but only causes rashes and common fever. Children infected with measles can experience many complications and become infected with other bacteria that seriously threaten their health and life.
Measles usually progresses through three distinct stages. During the initial stage, children have symptoms similar to flu such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, red eyes and diarrhea... This is a period that is easily contagious but difficult to recognize because measles has not appeared. Next, the rash is characterized by red spots appearing from the back of the hair roots, spreading to the face, neck, torso and limbs. Children often have a high fever and are very tired during this period. Finally, there is the flight away phase, when the bananas gradually fade, leaving patches on the skin before the child fully recovers.... - said Dr. Le Thi Thu Hien.
To prevent the risk of measles, parents need to fully vaccinate their children with two doses of measles vaccine according to the national vaccination schedule. Prenatal women should also get vaccinated to protect their children in the first months of life.
The Ministry of Health believes that the two deaths in Quang Nam are likely to be related to measles, in the context of the trend of measles cases nationwide increasing locally in some localities. The reason for the increase in measles cases is believed to be due to the unsatisfactory vaccination rate during the COVID-19 pandemic and the shortage of vaccines in 2023, leading to an immunity gap in the community. Reversal
The health sector calls on people, especially parents, to pay attention to monitoring their children's health and taking them to medical facilities when there are signs of suspected measles for timely examination and treatment, in order to minimize unfortunate deaths.
