Kiên Giang actively tackles measles outbreak

Disease control representatives explain how they are tackling the measles outbreak in the province. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Sĩ

KIÊN GIANG — The measles epidemic is essentially under control in Kiên Giang Province, said Trần Thế Vinh, Director of the provincial Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

Speaking in a press conference on Monday afternoon, he said that the province began recording measles cases from the beginning of April. Up to now, it has seen 127 cases in six districts and cities.

Among them, Phú Quốc City leads the list with 111 cases.

No cases have required mechanical ventilation and up to now four cases are being treated in the Paediatrics Ward at the Kiên Giang Children’s Hospital.

With the rapid spread, the risk of a measles outbreak is still relatively high, so it is necessary to monitor developments closely, said Vinh.

He said that as soon as the first cases were discovered in Phú Quốc City, the CDC implemented prevention and control measures such as reviewing close contacts, making a daily watch list, and giving instructions on preventing and controlling infection at school and in the community.

The HCM Pasteur Institute has had many monitoring sessions with the CDC and the provincial Department of Health to handle any measles epidemic in Phú Quốc City.

An investigation conducted by the CDC shows that population fluctuation has occurred in Phú Quốc in the past three months, affecting measles vaccination.

In addition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the interruption of vaccine supply in the Expanded Immunisation Programme, about 30 per cent of the sick children are unvaccinated or vaccinated not enough doses.

From the beginning of this year until now, the CDC has received more than 24,000 doses of measles vaccine. It allocated localities to carry out regular vaccinations and make-up vaccinations for children with missing doses.

To effectively prevent and control measles, the CDC will review the vaccination list of children from aged one to ten to prepare for booster vaccinations according to schedule.

It will prepare additional vaccination campaigns when vaccine supply is approved.

Health units promote communication on disease prevention and control, which focuses on raising people’s awareness about the benefits and importance of vaccination as recommended by the health sector.

Measles-related cases will be quarantined at home to prevent and limit the risk of infection to the community.

“Vaccination is the most effective solution in preventing and controlling measles. Therefore, the province is preparing to bid for 6,000 doses for children,” said Vinh.

According to the General Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health, the most recent assessment about the risk of measles in 63 provinces and cities across the country recorded that seven localities are at very high risk including Hà Tĩnh, HCM City, Đồng Nai, Long An, Sóc Trăng, Bình Phước and Kiên Giang. — VNS