The Ministry of Health is urgently changing the treatment protocol for measles.

Currently, a measles outbreak is occurring in 60 out of 63 provinces and cities, with nearly 7,000 cases reported.

Measles outbreaks have occurred in 59 provinces and cities, with thousands of cases and 25 deaths. However, the Ministry of Health still believes it is not yet time to declare an epidemic. Of particular concern is the continued increase in the number of children with measles-related pneumonia and respiratory failure.

What is the current situation regarding measles? Why are hospitals reporting unusual cases, while the Ministry of Health has not declared an epidemic and claims the virus strain has remained unchanged for the past 38 years? Why has the target of eradicating measles been postponed from 2015 to 2017? To understand this issue, we spoke with Associate Professor Dr. Tran Dac Phu, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Dac Phu, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine - Ministry of Health.

PV: Up to this point, many hospitals have reported that the measles outbreak is unusual, while the Ministry of Health insists it is not yet time to declare an epidemic. So, how serious is the measles outbreak, sir?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Dac Phu: Currently, the epidemic is occurring on a scale of 60/63 provinces and cities, with nearly 7000 cases. There are also small concentrated outbreaks in some communes and districts in some mountainous provinces in the North. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the cases are scattered, not forming concentrated outbreaks, but the number of cases is high. Currently, we are also seeing an overload, with a large number of patients being admitted to hospitals, including the Pediatric Department of Bach Mai Hospital and Saint Paul Hospital. However, neighboring provincial hospitals have few or no patients.

However, the decision on when to declare a measles outbreak must follow Decision 64/2010/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister. This is based on the following conditions: firstly, the outbreak level is higher than the annual average in the locality; secondly, the outbreak is not under control in the localities. If two provinces declare an outbreak and request the Ministry of Health to do so, then the Ministry of Health will make the declaration. Alternatively, the Ministry of Health may also declare an outbreak when it observes abnormalities in the virus or an unusual rate of transmission.

Currently, the provinces are still controlling the situation, so the Ministry has not yet announced an outbreak. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health, through its research, has not found any unusual changes in genetic mutations, so it has not declared an epidemic.

However, the fact that the information hasn't been officially announced doesn't mean we're not informing the public about the situation, nor does it mean we're not implementing disease prevention measures. As early as February, the Ministry of Health launched a vaccination campaign and announced the measles situation and the risk of outbreaks across all 63 provinces and cities nationwide. Currently, we are continuing to provide research to inform the public about measles, while also vigorously promoting the measles vaccination campaign. Families with children who haven't been vaccinated or haven't contracted measles will receive their vaccinations this March and April.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien inspects the treatment of children with severe complications from measles at the National Children's Hospital. (Photo: Dan Tri)

PV: The health sector has confirmed for 38 years that the measles virus strain has not mutated, so why are hospitals reporting unusual developments in the measles epidemic, with an increasing number of children suffering from measles-related pneumonia and respiratory failure?

Associate Professor Tran Dac Phu: That's also an issue we need to research. Why are the deaths concentrated only in the North, while the South doesn't have any? There are also patients with other illnesses such as pneumonia due to other causes, or pneumonia coexisting with underlying conditions. For example, complications after measles, immunosuppression, and other diseases. However, we can't immediately research and answer all the causes of coexisting illnesses caused by viruses or bacteria. The Ministry of Health is actively researching to explain this issue, and also to serve the current diagnosis, treatment, and emergency care of patients.

PV: If the measles virus strain hasn't mutated, why is the Ministry of Health rushing to change the treatment protocol, sir?

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Dac Phu: Changes to treatment protocols are not based on the virus strain. Treatment changes must be based on clinical symptoms, the patient's condition, experience gained during treatment, and any new experiences that can be added. Updating treatment protocols is always necessary. For example, if a hospital's experience is good, the treatment will be updated. Or, if a particular drug proves effective, it will be included in the treatment protocol, not solely dependent on the causative agent.

We modified the study because we found that after treating measles patients, doctors also gained experience in managing severe cases and reducing mortality, which is now being updated in treatment protocols.

PV: Thank you, sir!

According to VOV.VN