In the first six months of the year, Nghe An province detected 45 cases of measles.
Cases of measles have been reported sporadically in the community across many localities in the province.
According to a report from the Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control: From the beginning of the year until June 22, 2024, Nghe An province recorded 45 scattered cases of measles in 11 localities, including: Vinh City, Nghi Loc, Nam Dan, Do Luong, Hung Nguyen, Quynh Luu, Quy Hop, Yen Thanh, Tan Ky, Thanh Chuong, and Dien Chau.
The first case with symptomatic onset occurred at the end of March (1 case), after which the province continued to record new cases in April (16 cases), May (14 cases), June (14 cases)... These measles cases have been and are being treated at Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital (35 cases); Vinh International Hospital (6 cases); National Children's Hospital (4 cases) and Vinh City General Hospital (2 cases).
An epidemiological investigation of 45 measles cases revealed that 16 were underage, 15 were old enough to receive the first dose but only 4 had been vaccinated (26.7%); 12 were old enough to receive the second dose but only 1 had received the second dose (0.83%); and 2 were adults.
According to the Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control: The resurgence of measles is due to the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the expanded immunization program, reducing vaccine coverage in the community. In addition, disruptions in the supply of vaccines under the Expanded Immunization Program have also impacted vaccination rates throughout the province.
Currently, cases are appearing sporadically in the community across many localities in the province, and the practice of self-treating when the disease has mild symptoms makes it difficult to control and detect early. A high number of cases are imported from other areas into the province, increasing the source of infection in the community. Cross-infection in healthcare facilities where measles patients are being treated poses a high risk of outbreaks and potential spread to the community.
To prevent measles outbreaks, the Nghe An health sector is strengthening proactive surveillance to detect suspected cases early and expanding immunization activities; intensifying the review of children throughout the province, their vaccination history, and implementing catch-up and supplementary vaccinations against measles (for children from 9 months old) and measles-rubella (for children from 18 months old) to create community immunity with full vaccine coverage.
Proactively monitor suspected cases at hospitals to promptly detect suspected cases, conduct epidemiological investigations, collect samples for testing, and implement disease prevention and control measures.
Directing district health centers to proactively monitor cases at healthcare facilities within their areas; conducting investigations, collecting samples for testing, and implementing disease prevention and control measures...
Strengthen regular and continuous communication efforts so that people know how to prevent the disease and ensure their children receive all vaccinations on schedule.
