Many serious cases
According to Can Tho Children's Hospital, measles is still complicated. Specialist II Doctor Huynh Hung Dung - Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases - informed that on average, the hospital treats 250 - 300 inpatients per day.
Doctors said that most measles cases recorded at the hospital were due to not being vaccinated or not being fully vaccinated. This is also the cause of complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure. For about 3 months now, the hospital's medical team has been on duty to treat children, preventing dangerous incidents.
Having a child treated for measles at the hospital, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Nga (Cai Rang district) said: "Due to difficult circumstances, having to work hard to make a living, and having little knowledge, I did not foresee that my child would be infected with measles. Since my child got sick, I have been up all night because my child is very tired, has difficulty breathing, and cries... I just hope my child recovers quickly so he can go home."
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong (O Mon district) shared that her child had measles before being vaccinated, and the whole family was worried because the child now has complications.
"I took more than a week off work to take care of the baby. If I let my grandparents take care of the baby, I would be really anxious and not have the spirit to go to work. My family just hopes that the baby will get well soon and will be fully vaccinated when he is old enough," Ms. Duong added.
Meanwhile, worried that her sister's illness was getting worse, Ms. Thach Le Boi Tuyen (Vinh Long province) was also forced to quit her job in Dong Nai province to come back and help. "I decided that if I quit my job halfway, I would not get a salary or a bonus, so spending this Tet would definitely be more difficult, but my sister's health is the most important thing," Ms. Bich Tuyen said.
Do not spread, outbreak
According to statistics from Can Tho Children's Hospital, the measles outbreak began in early August with a sudden increase in the number of cases, many serious cases requiring ventilators. Since the beginning of the year, the number of inpatients has been more than 2,300 cases, and outpatients more than 1,700 cases.
Can Tho Children's Hospital is also coordinating with the Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control to train in diagnosis and treatment of measles for districts and prevent infection at treatment facilities; Organize triage and isolation at 2 examination departments and the emergency department; Early dissemination of measles cases at risk of serious illness and those with underlying diseases.
According to statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of Can Tho City, by the end of week 43 of 2024, the number of suspected measles rash fever cases recorded was 633 cases. Of which, 559 cases had samples taken for testing. The number of cases diagnosed with clinical measles by treatment units inside and outside the province was 74 cases.
On December 13, Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Tran Viet Truong signed and issued an official dispatch to the Director of the Department of Health regarding the serious implementation of tasks and solutions to prevent and control measles in the city.
The Chairman of the Can Tho City People's Committee requested to ensure adequate vaccine sources and carry out measles vaccination for target groups; ensure logistics, medicines, supplies, equipment, and chemicals for measles prevention and control according to regulations.
Closely monitor the measles situation in the city; regularly assess the risk of epidemics; proactively monitor and promptly detect cases of the disease to thoroughly handle outbreaks; prevent spread and outbreaks; effectively treat and care for patients.
Previously, on December 9, the Chairman of the City People's Committee also inspected the work of preventing and fighting measles epidemic in the context of complicated developments.
