In Can Tho, during the rainy season every year, dengue fever is often a concern for parents. However, in 2023, the number of hand, foot and mouth disease cases in the city increased rapidly. This year in particular, measles case statistics are showing signs of complicated developments.
According to statistics, from the beginning of 2024 to the end of September, the city recorded over 500 cases of dengue fever and 750 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, down from the same period in 2023. Regarding measles, in the first 7 months of this year, the whole city recorded only 7 cases of measles. However, from August 2024, the number of measles cases began to increase, with more than 150 cases of rash fever suspected to be measles, more than 80 positive measles cases, compared to the same period in 2023, no measles cases were recorded. The age of the disease is mainly in the group from 1 to 5 years old.
Specialist Doctor II Huynh Hung Dung - Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases (Can Tho Children's Hospital) - shared: "Every year, the epidemic is different, or more precisely, at the present time, many infectious diseases are no longer seasonal. For example, in 2023, at this time the hospital had 350 patients but currently there are only a few dozen children. Measles in particular is becoming more and more complicated, so the best way to prevent the disease is for parents to pay attention to their children's vaccination schedule."
The news of the increase in measles makes Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Tran (born in 1990, Binh Thuy district) quite uneasy: "The disease is complicated, although we have vaccinated our children, my husband and I are still very confused."
Having taken care of her child for a week at Can Tho Children's Hospital, Ms. Dang Thi Huong (working at Lac Ty Company Limited, Hau Giang Province) confided: "Infectious diseases are no longer seasonal, requiring us to balance and change the way we raise our children."
Mr. Huynh Minh Truc - Director of CDC Can Tho - informed: in the context of convenient trade and travel, the risk of disease spreading is faster. Currently, Can Tho is organizing the Campaign to supplement measles vaccine in the whole city.
The campaign is organized to increase the rate of measles immunity in the community, proactively prevent the disease, reduce the incidence rate and minimize deaths due to measles in the area.
For hand, foot and mouth disease prevention and treatment in 2024, CDC Can Tho recommends that people practice 3 cleans: clean hands, clean food, clean living.
Pay attention to washing hands frequently with soap under running water several times a day (both adults and children); feeding children cooked food and drinking boiled water; regularly cleaning surfaces and objects that come into daily contact; not letting children come into contact with sick people or people suspected of having the disease; collecting and disposing of feces and waste properly and hygienically. When detecting signs of suspected illness in children, take the child to see a doctor or immediately notify the nearest medical facility.
