Measles cases increase rapidly
The Ministry of Health has warned that one of the reasons for the recent increase in measles is the disruption of the supply of expanded immunization vaccines in 2022-2023, causing many children to not be vaccinated or not receive enough doses, creating a gap in the immune barrier.
In Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces, the number of dengue fever cases has increased rapidly. Since August 31, Ho Chi Minh City has implemented a measles vaccination campaign for children aged 1-10 years old, contributing to reducing the number of cases in this age group. However, the surveillance system has recorded an increase in the number of new cases in the group under 9 months old. This is a young age group, not old enough to be vaccinated against measles according to the National Expanded Immunization Program, while antibodies passed from the mother may have decreased below the protective level.
Therefore, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has advised the City People's Committee to propose to the Ministry of Health to vaccinate children in this age group against measles. On November 6, the Ministry of Health officially approved the implementation of measles vaccination for children from 6 to under 9 months old in Ho Chi Minh City to strengthen epidemic prevention measures during the peak period.
However, at this time, the number of measles cases in Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces is still high. On November 20, the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) informed about the epidemic situation in the area, up to the end of week 46 of 2024 (from November 11 to 17). During the week, 211 measles cases were recorded, an increase of 43.5% compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks. The total number of measles cases accumulated from the beginning of 2024 to week 46 is 1,858 cases.
According to the Dong Nai Province Center for Disease Control, from the beginning of the year to November 20, the whole province recorded nearly 2,100 measles cases (the same period in 2023 recorded only 3 cases), 1 death. Notably, of the total number of measles cases, only 97 cases were vaccinated, accounting for 5%.
According to the Hanoi Center for Disease Control (CDC), last week, the entire city recorded 25 measles cases, an increase of 9 cases compared to the previous week; of which 20 cases had not been vaccinated against measles, 5 cases had not been fully vaccinated.
The epidemic will spread if not prevented well.
Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Dac Phu - former Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) - assessed that the measles epidemic in Ho Chi Minh City is worrying. This place has a high population density, cramped conditions, many worker dormitories, collective activities... which are favorable for the spread of measles, a respiratory disease. Another situation is that the population is so large that it is impossible to control whether children have been vaccinated or not.
Measles patients recorded in the area are mainly people who have not been vaccinated or have not been fully vaccinated. It is forecasted that in the coming time, there may continue to be new cases of measles recorded.
The Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) also stated that the measles epidemic will be more complicated in the coming time. Therefore, parents need to pay attention to monitor and detect children infected with measles to isolate and treat them promptly.
Mr. Hoang Minh Duc - Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) - said that some provinces and cities are at high risk of measles outbreaks such as Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Long An, Soc Trang... Localities need to promptly deploy professional measures to prevent and control measles; continue to review measures to monitor and prevent measles according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health, detect measles cases early and implement measures to promptly and thoroughly handle outbreaks to limit the spread.
The Ministry of Health has directed to continue to maintain regular vaccination of measles vaccines for children under 1 year old; organize catch-up vaccinations and catch-up vaccinations for subjects who have not been fully vaccinated with measles-containing vaccines.
