At the conference, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said that the epidemic situation in the world is still complicated, in which some diseases that have long been vaccinated (measles, whooping cough...) tend to increase in many countries around the world.
Measles is highly contagious through the respiratory tract, with 90% of people who are not immune becoming infected if they come into close contact with a measles patient. On average, one infected person can infect 12-18 others, and the transmission can only be stopped when community immunity reaches at least 95%.
The disease can cause many dangerous complications such as otitis media, pneumonia, diarrhea, corneal ulcers, and even encephalitis, which can easily lead to death. The disease is especially serious in young children and malnourished children...
According to the Minister of Health, this is the transitional season, the unusual weather changes create conditions for pathogens to develop.
"Although the Ministry of Health has directed localities to drastically implement measles prevention measures since the end of 2024, the measles situation remains high and is at risk of continuing to increase," the Minister emphasized.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Health from the beginning of 2025 to now, the whole country has recorded about 40,000 suspected measles cases, 5 deaths related to measles. Of which, the number of suspected measles cases recorded is highest in the Southern region (57%), Central region (19.2%), Northern region (15.1%), Central Highlands (8.7%).
Compared to the period of sharp increase in measles epidemic from June to December 2024; in 2025, the number of measles cases nationwide continued to increase but showed signs of slowing down.
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| Ministry of Health urgently requests measles prevention, not to let the disease spread. Photo: HB |
Accordingly, among the rash fever cases, the majority were children from 9 months to under 15 years old (accounting for 72.7%); under 6 months old accounted for 5.4% and from 6 months to under 9 months old accounted for 9.9% (these are 2 groups that are not yet at the age of vaccination).
Notably, among measles cases, up to 90.8% had not been vaccinated against measles; 4.9% had unknown vaccination history and 4.3% had been vaccinated.
Since September 2024, 31 provinces and cities have implemented measles vaccination for children aged 1-10 years and medical staff according to the measles prevention plan. Some provinces have implemented vaccination slowly, still recording an increase in the number of cases.
The Ministry of Health predicts that the measles epidemic is showing a general downward trend, but has not yet stopped completely. People and localities still need to be extremely cautious about the risk of an outbreak. It is expected that the number of rash fever cases suspected of measles will continue to be recorded nationwide. Especially in high-risk areas such as mountainous provinces, where many ethnic minorities live, access to health services is limited and localities with low vaccination rates are the areas most susceptible to outbreaks.
Faced with the complicated developments of measles after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health has proactively directed and implemented epidemic prevention activities in localities. In particular, it has organized and implemented a plan to deploy a measles vaccination campaign.
In 2025, the Ministry of Health will continue to propose to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support vaccines and issue a plan to implement the measles vaccination campaign in 2025. This will include adding the target group from 6-9 months old in 24 provinces and cities and continuing to add 17 more provinces and cities to vaccinate the campaign for the group from 1-10 years old and high-risk groups.
To date, 28 provinces and cities have completed the first phase of the measles vaccination campaign and 3 localities (Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Hau Giang) are continuing to vaccinate.
Regarding the implementation of measles vaccination for children aged 6-9 months, up to now, 25/25 provinces and cities have issued plans and implemented vaccinations by the end of February-March 2025. Kon Tum province alone plans to implement vaccinations from the 3rd week of March 2025; Ho Chi Minh City plans to implement vaccinations from November 2024...
According to Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, to control the measles epidemic, localities need to closely monitor the epidemic's developments and promptly report the situation. It is necessary to mobilize the participation of all levels and sectors; not just the health sector. Localities must prepare facilities, equipment, and medical supplies, especially in high-risk areas, to immediately handle the epidemic./.