(kontumtv.vn) – The Ministry of Health said that according to information from the infectious disease surveillance system, up to now, in 2024, many localities have recorded an increase in cases of measles, whooping cough and a number of other infectious diseases. Compared to the same period in 2023, the number of measles cases increased more than 8 times, the number of whooping cough cases increased more than 25 times.

Photo caption
Dak Lak Health Sector conducts catch-up and catch-up vaccinations against measles and measles-rubella for children. Photo: VNA

Currently, the whole country is entering a new school year, students of all levels are returning to school; the risk of contracting infectious diseases is increasing, especially with some infectious diseases such as measles, whooping cough, hand, foot and mouth disease and some diseases transmitted through the respiratory tract.

To proactively prevent and control the epidemic during the 2024-2025 school year, the Ministry of Health sent a document to the Ministry of Education and Training requesting coordination and direction of the Departments of Education and Training of provinces and centrally run cities and educational institutions nationwide to prepare the best conditions to ensure the health of children, pupils and students when entering the new school year; ensure clean hygiene, airy classrooms and adequate lighting at educational institutions, schools, nurseries and kindergartens.

At the same time, closely coordinate with the health sector to guide educational institutions, especially kindergartens and nurseries, to implement epidemic prevention and control measures such as closely monitoring the health of children and students, promptly detecting cases with signs of suspected illness to notify medical facilities for coordinated handling.

The Health sector guides educational institutions to practice good personal hygiene, regularly wash hands with soap and clean water, and coordinate communication and propaganda to mobilize families and parents to take their children for full vaccination on schedule according to the Health sector's instructions to enhance and protect the health of children and students.

Also related to disease prevention and control work for the new school year 2024-2025, the Ministry of Health has sent a document to the People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities on proactively implementing disease prevention and control during the school year.

Accordingly, in order to proactively implement disease prevention and control work during the school year, the Ministry of Health requests the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to continue to direct authorities at all levels and mobilize departments, branches, and socio-political organizations to closely coordinate with the health sector to proactively implement solutions to prevent and control epidemics in the area, especially infectious diseases that often occur during the school year; direct the organization of inspection and supervision teams, and urge and direct localities and units on disease prevention and control work in the area.

The People's Committees of provinces and cities direct the Department of Health to closely monitor the development of the epidemic situation in the area; strengthen supervision, early detection of cases, outbreaks in the community and medical facilities; implement isolation, promptly and thoroughly handle outbreaks to prevent outbreaks in the community; increase sampling and testing to identify pathogens...

Localities closely coordinate with the Institutes of Hygiene and Epidemiology/Pasteur to proactively assess risks, analyze the situation to promptly implement measures to handle outbreaks and organize vaccination campaigns. Promote regular vaccination for subjects under the Expanded Immunization Program to ensure safety and effectiveness; review and organize catch-up vaccinations and catch-up vaccinations for subjects who have not been vaccinated or have not received enough doses; mobilize families to take their children for full and timely vaccinations...

BT (Vietnam News Agency)