HCMC health department proposes declaring measles outbreak

“As we wait for the People’s Committee to announce the outbreak, the health sector should focus on improving herd immunity to reduce infections and protect children in vulnerable groups, minimizing deaths,” Tang Chi Thuong, director of the HCMC health department, said Monday.

HCMC hospitals have recorded 597 fever cases with rashes suspected to be measles since May 23, and 346 of these cases have tested positive for the disease. More than half of the patients came to HCMC from other localities for diagnosis and treatment. In the past month, three children with chronic conditions died due to severe complications from measles.

The HCMC Center for Disease Control (HCDC) reported that measles has been detected in 16 districts, with 25% of the cases being children under nine months old, and the majority of the cases are in children under five years. Notably, 84% of these cases are not fully vaccinated.

Thuong said declaring an outbreak would enable localities to implement disease prevention measures, such as purchasing medicine, vaccines and medical kits. It would also lay the groundwork for providing booster shots to children aged 1-5 throughout the city.

Health department inspectors will address anti-vaccination sentiments. “The measles vaccine has proven effective in preventing the disease for decades globally. Anyone spreading false information must be dealt with,” Thuong said.

Measles is a viral disease that spreads through respiratory transmission. Symptoms include fever and rashes. Unvaccinated children, those with malnutrition, pregnant women and individuals who are immunocompromised are particularly vulnerable to severe complications from measles. There is currently no cure for measles.