Measles epidemic still tends to increase
On April 3, the Hanoi Department of Health held a conference on grassroots health and preventive medicine work in the first quarter, deploying tasks for the second quarter of 2025.
According to the report of the Hanoi Department of Health, in the first 3 months of 2025, the situation of infectious diseases in the city will be controlled, some diseases tend to increase such as measles, hand, foot and mouth disease, etc.
From the beginning of the year to March 31, 2025, the city has recorded 1,355 measles cases, including 1 death in Phu Do, Nam Tu Liem. Patients recorded in 30/30 districts, towns and cities, in which some units recorded many patients such as: Hoang Mai, Nam Tu Liem, Ha Dong, Thanh Tri, Dong Da, Tay Ho, Hoan Kiem. Most patients with the disease are children under 6 years old (accounting for 60%) and have not been vaccinated or have not been fully vaccinated with 2 doses of vaccine to prevent the disease (accounting for 91%).
The city also recorded 685 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, no deaths, the number of cases increased compared to the same period in 2024 (300 cases, 0 deaths), spread across all 30 districts, towns and cities; recorded 199 cases of dengue fever, no deaths, the number of cases decreased compared to the same period in 2024, patients spread across 27 districts, towns and cities, recorded 1 dengue fever outbreak that has now ended.
In addition, the city also recorded 12 cases of whooping cough, 4,267 cases of seasonal flu, 5 cases of tetanus and 1 case of streptococcus purple.
Mr. Khong Minh Tuan - Deputy Director of the Hanoi City Center for Disease Control - said: Measles epidemic is still on the rise and the number of cases may continue to increase in the coming time.
Measles patients are recorded in many different age groups, including: 11% under 6 months old, 14% from 6-8 months, 11, 11, 23% from 1-5 years old, 15% from 6-10 years old and 25% over 10 years old.
Measles vaccination campaign reaches 97%
In the first two months of 2025, most vaccines in the Expanded Immunization Program have been fully and promptly provided. The city has launched a measles vaccination campaign for children aged 6 to under 9 months, with a total of 24,425 children vaccinated as of March 31, 2025, reaching 97%.
At the same time, the city has carried out catch-up vaccinations and catch-up vaccinations for more than 6,200 children aged 1-10 who have not been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine containing measles.
Faced with the complicated developments of the epidemic, districts, towns and cities continue to review and speed up the progress of measles vaccination for children of regular vaccination age and those subject to campaign vaccination, especially children from 6 to under 9 months old and children from 1 to 10 years old who have not been vaccinated with 2 doses of measles vaccine.
At the same time, strengthen monitoring and detection of hand, foot and mouth disease in the community and preschools with cases and outbreaks; deploy thorough treatment measures, general environmental sanitation, and disinfection according to regulations.
Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Health Vu Cao Cuong requested units to carefully review the subjects in the measles vaccination campaign, ensuring that no children from 6 to under 9 months old and from 1 to 10 years old are left out. Proactively implement measures to prevent and control dengue fever, especially focusing on fundamental solutions such as killing bedbugs and environmental sanitation.
In addition to measles and dengue fever, units also need to pay attention to other epidemics such as hand, foot and mouth disease, etc., strengthening consultation with district and county People's Committees to promptly direct epidemic prevention and control measures in educational institutions.
Dr. Tran Van Chung, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Health, said that the Department of Health has directed units to strengthen coordination in medical examination and treatment, primary health care for people; proactively take measures to prevent and control epidemics, prevent outbreaks and spreads.
