Risk of measles in adults

According to the Ministry of Health , measles is the fastest spreading infectious disease, and everyone is at risk of contracting measles. The disease can cause dangerous complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, otitis media, corneal ulcers, diarrhea, etc., and even death in cases with underlying diseases.

Recently, Bach Mai Hospital recorded a measles death in an adult. This patient died from measles on the background of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes. Before that, the patient was admitted to the hospital with severe lung complications and had to undergo dialysis.

Staff of Bach Dang Ward Health Station (Ha Long City) vaccinate children against measles.

To strengthen the prevention and control of measles, limit severe cases of death, the Department of Disease Prevention and Control (Ministry of Health) recommends that groups of people at high risk of severe complications related to measles include: People with chronic lung disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, people over 50 years old, especially those with unknown vaccination history and have never had measles should proactively get vaccinated against measles; This group of people at high risk, when experiencing symptoms of the disease such as fever, cough, runny nose, rash, should immediately go to medical facilities for examination, timely treatment advice, and limit serious complications of the disease; Limit contact with cases of measles or suspected measles, if contact is required, wear a mask and wash your hands after contact with the sick person; Strengthen personal hygiene, nose and throat, keep warm, improve physical condition to increase resistance to measles; Practice good environmental hygiene, keep the working, studying and living environment well-ventilated, regularly clean the surfaces of the living, working and studying places...

In Quang Ninh , medical facilities in the province have also recorded cases of measles requiring hospitalization, including adult patients. For example, at Bai Chay Hospital recently, many measles patients had to be hospitalized for treatment. Most of them have not been vaccinated, or have not received enough doses, or have been vaccinated for a long time. Notably, there is a case of 5 siblings in the same family.

Many medical facilities in the province have also recorded cases of adults and even healthy young people contracting measles. This shows that measles is becoming more complicated, especially in adults who have been vaccinated for a long time.

According to the recommendations of the health sector, measles is very dangerous for the elderly with chronic underlying diseases, and can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, epilepsy, encephalitis, etc. About 15% of adults with measles complications die due to late or ineffective intervention.

In order to increase the rate of measles immunity in the community, on March 21, 2025, Quang Ninh issued Plan No. 86/KH-UBND to deploy the measles vaccination campaign in 2025 in the area. After more than a week of drastic and urgent implementation, by March 30, Quang Ninh had completed the campaign earlier than the Central's request. The whole province had nearly 30,000 children from 6 months to 10 years old vaccinated against measles this time, reaching 98.2% of the number of children eligible for vaccination. Not only that, with the goal of maximum coverage of measles vaccine, consolidating and enhancing community immunity, the health sector continues to carry out catch-up vaccination, and at the same time deploy measles vaccination for people over 10 years old, to prevent possible measles outbreaks.

Measles is a disease that can be effectively prevented by vaccines. Therefore, each family and each person must comply with the correct and complete vaccination schedule to help improve community immunity against measles.

Peace

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/nguy-co-mac-benh-soi-o-nguoi-truong-thanh-3353340.html