On March 28, according to information from the Ministry of Health, the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology has just sent a document to the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control of 3 provinces and cities on strengthening measles surveillance.
Accordingly, from the beginning of 2024 until now, 78 cases of typhus suspected of measles and rubella have been recorded in the Northern provinces and cities, including 12 measles cases confirmed in laboratories of 4 provinces and cities. city and 10 rubella cases in 7 provinces and cities. In particular, a cluster of measles cases was recorded concentrated in Duc Tho district (Ha Tinh province) in children under 1 years old.
To proactively prevent measles/rubella epidemics, the Northern Expanded Immunization Office requests disease control centers of provinces and cities to strengthen active monitoring of suspected measles and rubella cases, investigation, and Take samples for testing or send them to the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology for testing. For provinces and cities that self-test, they need to send the results to the Northern Expanded Immunization Office and enter the survey form into the measles/rubella surveillance software; Maintain measles vaccination for children aged 9-12 months and measles-rubella vaccination for children aged 18-24 months, ensuring no subjects are missed.
WHO: Global measles cases increase by 79% in 2023
WHO technical advisor on measles and rubella, Ms. Natasha Crowcroft, said the measles situation is "extremely worrying" and the actual number of measles cases is certainly much higher than announced.
The Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology requires localities, if an epidemic occurs in the area, to quickly investigate, localize, take samples and implement epidemic prevention measures according to regulations.
Regarding the cluster of measles cases in Duc Tho district, after discovering 8 cases of typhus suspected of measles in Duc Tho town (Duc Tho district, Ha Tinh), the Ha Tinh Center for Disease Control quickly coordinated forces Local health authorities have implemented measures to prevent the epidemic from spreading.
The District Health Center also investigated, monitored, and implemented epidemic prevention measures in the patient's area and at two schools. In classrooms where students suspected of having measles are encouraged to wear masks, students showing signs of fatigue or fever are asked to leave school to monitor their health at home.
The Ministry of Health cited information from the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO recently issued a warning about the increasing number of measles cases and the risk of measles outbreaks in many areas around the world.
According to WHO data, in the European region, the number of cases in 2023 is more than 300.000, an increase of more than 30 times compared to 2022. In the Western Pacific region, the number of measles cases has increased by 255% from 2022 to 2023.
Previously, on March 19, the Ministry of Health sent a document to the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities on strengthening measles prevention and control.
To promote disease prevention and control and minimize the risk of measles outbreaks in the coming time, the Ministry of Health requests the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to direct relevant units to increase Strengthen surveillance and early detection of measles cases in the community and medical examination and treatment facilities; Implement measures to thoroughly handle the outbreak as soon as a case is detected./.
According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, measles is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the measles virus. To proactively prevent measles, the Department of Preventive Health recommends that people:
Proactively take children from 9 months old who have not been vaccinated against measles or from 18 months old who have not received 2 doses of measles vaccine to the commune or ward health station for measles vaccination.
When you detect signs of fever, cough, runny nose, or rash, you should promptly take your child to the nearest medical facility for timely examination and treatment to prevent complications and severe progression of measles, and limit Take children to major hospitals to avoid measles infection from the hospital.
Measles is very contagious, do not allow children to come close or come into contact with children suspected of having measles. Regularly wash your hands with soap when taking care of children and ensure measures to increase nutrition for children.
