Warning numbers
At the conference to review the work of preventing and controlling infectious diseases in 2024 and the plan for preventing and controlling infectious diseases in 2025 on February 26 in Hanoi, the Ministry of Health said that in 2024, the situation of infectious diseases nationwide will be basically controlled.
However, the number of suspected measles rash fever cases in 2024 was 38,364, an increase of more than 94 times compared to 2023 and 6,725 cases positive for measles, an increase of more than 130 times compared to 2023. In particular, some provinces have high numbers of cases such as Dong Nai (6,360 cases), Ho Chi Minh City (4,758), Binh Duong (4,745 cases), Ca Mau (2,405)... Mr. Nguyen Luong Tam - Deputy Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) said that measles is a disease of concern at the present time.
In Can Tho alone, 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, and outpatients more than 1,700.
Specialist Doctor II 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.
Like the child of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong (O Mon district, Can Tho city), before being old enough to be vaccinated, she had severe measles, leading to respiratory failure.
"After following the news and seeing the complicated developments of measles, I have always been careful in taking care of my child. However, I did not expect my child to get sick, leaving my family unable to react in time. My family only hopes that my child will get well soon and will fully vaccinate him when he is old enough. I hope other parents will also be careful in taking care of their children," Ms. Duong added.
According to Ms. Duong, currently children are vaccinated against measles when they are 9 months old, however, in this context, if research can be done to vaccinate earlier, prevention will be more effective.
Continued monitoring
Currently, Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Tran Viet Truong has requested the Director of the Department of Health to seriously implement tasks and solutions to prevent and control measles.
The Chairman of Can Tho directed that the health sector must 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, in mid-December, Mr. Tran Viet Truong also inspected the work of preventing and fighting the measles epidemic in the context of complicated developments; visited, supported and gave gifts to children with measles in difficult circumstances and the staff of the Department of Infectious Diseases who have made efforts in treating children over the past months.
It is known that the Can Tho health sector is requesting additional vaccines and continuing to screen children who have not been vaccinated against measles; continuing to proactively monitor the development of the epidemic situation in the area, especially the unusual developments of measles, flu, dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease.
