Health Ministry urges HCM City to respond to ongoing measles outbreak

A medical worker examines a baby before vaccination in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The Ministry of Health has urged HCM City authorities to take immediate action against the current measles outbreak, which has resulted in the deaths of three children.

The deceased children, aged between four months and seven years, all had pre-existing health conditions.

The ministry has instructed local healthcare facilities to provide timely treatment to individuals diagnosed with measles to minimise severe cases and fatalities.

The HCM City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) has been asked to work with agencies to establish a comprehensive monitoring network for both measles infections and vaccination efforts.

Hospitals within the city are required to adhere to stringent infection control protocols and to maintain an adequate supply of medical resources.

Earlier, the Department of Health had recommended the People’s Committee declare a measles outbreak due to the rapid increase in cases.

As of August 12, more than 600 cases of fever accompanied by rash have been reported, with 346 confirmed cases of measles, over half of which involve patients from other provinces.

According to the HCDC, measles infections have been identified across 57 wards within 16 city districts, with the highest number of cases reported in Bình Chánh, Hóc Môn, and Bình Tân districts.

Over 84 per cent of the affected children were either unvaccinated or had incomplete vaccination schedules.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can spread rapidly following an incubation period of seven to 21 days.

Initial symptoms typically include fever and a rash, which usually begins on the face and subsequently spreads to the back.

Additional symptoms may include conjunctivitis, cough, runny nose, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and, in severe cases, seizures.

Medical experts have cautioned the disease can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, otitis media, keratitis, diarrhea, and even death.

Measles can only be effectively managed when the community immunity rate reaches 95 per cent and each individual has received two doses of the vaccine.

Healthcare centres are asked to review the vaccination records of at-risk populations and to ensure that eligible children receive the appropriate vaccinations.

If a child has not received or missed their vaccination appointments, they must be taken to medical facilities for consultation and immunisation without delay.

Parents and guardians are advised to consult local healthcare stations for information regarding the vaccination schedule.

Measles remains one of the 11 infectious diseases for which vaccination is mandatory for children, with the first dose administered at nine months of age and the second dose at 18 months of age. — VNS