From the end of 2024 to now, in Can Tho City, the number of measles cases has always remained high compared to the same period. Especially in October and November 2024, at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Can Tho Children's Hospital, there were days when more than 200 cases of rash fever (including measles) were recorded. The number of cases increased rapidly, with serious complications, doctors had to be on duty and intervene with ventilators for children.
From February to March 2025, the situation has changed positively when the number of measles cases has decreased by about half compared to the peak of the epidemic. Of the 80 - 100 cases treated as inpatients per day, about 7 - 10% of children have complications of pneumonia and respiratory failure.
In the first week of May, in an exchange with Lao Dong about the measles situation, Specialist Doctor II Huynh Hung Dung - Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Can Tho Children's Hospital - informed that there are only 40 - 50 inpatient cases/day. Statistics show that the ability to control this disease is still uncertain, but it is not beyond the possibility that the disease is not yet complete.
"When seeing children with continuous high fever or rash symptoms, parents should take their children to the nearest medical facility for examination, clear disease assessment, and timely treatment. In particular, for children who have not been fully vaccinated, parents need to quickly get their children vaccinated to protect their health and the community" - Dr. Dung shared.
It is noteworthy that Meanwhile, the number of hand, foot and mouth disease cases has begun to show signs of thinning, with an average of 30 - 40 inpatient cases/day. Dr. Dung said that to proactively respond when the disease is likely to increase rapidly in the summer, the hospital has prepared all medical equipment and treatment drugs.
"In the Infectious Diseases Department, we receive patients not only in Can Tho but also in neighboring provinces. Currently, the department has about 200 beds and is divided into severity areas. Along with preparing treatment drugs, when the number of diseases exceeds the threshold, timely response and arrangement will be arranged" - Mr. Dung added.
It is known that there is currently no specific medicine for hand, foot and mouth disease. Therefore, parents must take their children to a hospital or medical facility immediately to be responsible for treatment if they see the children showing the following symptoms: Continuous high fever of 39 degrees Celsius does not decrease after a positive fever has decreased; shaking and throbbing, panicking, passing away; shaking limbs; weak limbs; children walking on the stomach; children raising their eyes abnormally; vomiting a lot; crying...
If there are many children in the family, absolute isolation between healthy children and children in many ways depending on family circumstances such as sending temporary children in another place; Encouraging children to play with children should not be played during the disease; It is necessary to closely monitor the activities of children in daily life. Adults when exposed and caring for children should bring medical masks for themselves and children.
Can Tho City People's Committee also issued an official dispatch to strengthen epidemic prevention and control during the changing seasons. Accordingly, a specific plan will be deployed to be ready to respond to epidemic situations in the area during the summer; do not let outbreaks or new outbreaks, especially infectious diseases with high numbers of cases and deaths such as rabies, dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease, measles, etc.
