Nghe An province has recorded nearly 1,100 cases of fever and rash suspected to be measles.
Nationwide, nearly 40,000 suspected cases of measles have been recorded; there have been 5 deaths related to measles. In Nghe An province, nearly 1,100 cases of fever and rash suspected to be measles have also been recorded.
On the afternoon of March 15th, the Ministry of Health held a nationwide online conference on measles prevention and control. The conference took place in both in-person and online formats, connecting the Ministry of Health with provincial and city-level locations and affiliated units across the country.
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan chaired the conference. Dr. Le Thi Hoai Chung, Director of the Nghe An Department of Health, chaired the Nghe An branch of the conference; also attending were representatives from various departments and divisions of the Department of Health, leaders of the Provincial Center for Disease Control, and hospitals and health centers in the province.
38,807 suspected measles cases, 5 deaths.
From the beginning of 2025 to the present, the whole country has recorded scattered 38,807 suspected measles cases in 63 provinces and cities, including 3,447 positive cases in 61 provinces and cities; and 5 deaths related to measles. Cases are concentrated in the South (57%), Central (19.2%), North (15.1%), Central Highlands (8.7%)...
According to the Ministry of Health, measles cases are trending upwards from the end of 2024 and are expected to continue increasing in the first months of 2025. The majority of cases occur in children aged 9 months to under 15 years (72.7%). Patients with measles are either unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status (over 95%). The disease is mainly recorded in large cities with high population mobility. However, there is now an increasing trend in mountainous areas.
In Nghe An province, from the beginning of the year until now, the entire province has recorded 1,081 cases of measles-like rash in 19 out of 20 localities, with no deaths. Localities with a high number of suspected measles cases include: Ky Son district with 526 cases, Vinh city with 204 cases, and Tuong Duong district with 115 cases... In Ky Son and Tuong Duong districts, the number of cases increased after the Lunar New Year.
In Nghe An. Photo: Thanh Chung
Information from the Nghe An Center for Disease Control: The appearance of a large number of suspected measles cases is due to the low vaccination rate in some mountainous districts, thus creating the potential for a major measles outbreak. While some localities have high vaccination rates of 95%, 5% remain unvaccinated each year, creating an immunity gap. Vaccination rates in some localities do not meet requirements at the commune level.
There are currently some changes in community immunity, particularly among children under 9 months old who have not yet received their scheduled immunization, accounting for 15.4%. Children who have received both doses of the immunization program but still contract the disease account for 2.4%.
Measles spreads very quickly through the respiratory tract; 90% of unimmunized individuals will contract the disease if they have close contact with a measles patient, and on average, one infected person can infect 12-18 others. Transmission can only be stopped when herd immunity reaches at least 95%.
The disease can cause many dangerous complications such as otitis media, pneumonia, diarrhea, corneal ulceration, and even encephalitis, which can easily lead to death. The disease is especially serious in young children and malnourished children.
Increase vaccination efforts to prevent disease.
At the conference, departments, divisions, and hospitals of the Ministry of Health provided guidance on measles prevention and control; patient admission and treatment; and solutions to strengthen measles vaccination efforts. Representatives from provinces and cities also presented reports and shared their local experiences in measles prevention and control.
In her concluding remarks at the conference, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan stated: Given its rapid spread (even faster than COVID-19), we cannot be complacent.pandemicMeasles. The measles vaccine is extremely important, and we need to effectively implement the measles vaccination campaign to control and limit the spread of the disease.
Preventing and controlling measles outbreaks is a shared responsibility of all levels and sectors, with the health sector playing a core role. In the coming period, provincial and city People's Committees need to review and fully implement vaccination activities; accelerate the measles vaccination campaign; ensure full vaccination for all eligible individuals, leaving no one unvaccinated, especially in key areas; and flexibly organize vaccination methods, including on-site vaccinations, even on holidays.
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan requested that provincial and city health departments proactively propose to the People's Committees of provinces and cities the allocation of resources to implement vaccination campaigns and disease prevention measures; prioritize vaccination in areas with many cases; prepare adequate facilities, equipment, and medical supplies, especially in high-risk areas, to immediately handle outbreaks; mobilize the participation of various departments; strengthen remote prevention and treatment; and promote communication about the benefits of vaccination... Quickly control the measles outbreak, minimize cases and deaths; and ensure all children have the right to healthcare and disease prevention.
Currently receiving treatment at Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital. Photo: Thanh Chung
Following the direction of the Minister of Health, in the coming period, Nghe An will continue to strengthen the monitoring and early detection of suspected measles cases; continue to promote measles vaccination for children aged 6 to under 9 months and children who have not been vaccinated or have not received all doses of the measles vaccine; strengthen communication through various forms on measures to prevent infectious diseases, especially measles; focus on encouraging people to bring their children for measles vaccination as well as other vaccines in the expanded immunization program; and minimize the number of cases.
