VietNamNet Bridge – Twenty-five children, most from the northern region of Vietnam, have died of measles since the end of last year, according to the Health Ministry.

Medical experts say that the genotypes of the measles virus in Vietnam are no different than those of other countries in the world, and that its virulence has not suddenly increased. Therefore, the diagnostic treatment guidelines can remain unchanged.

They also say that the measles epidemic is now on a downward trend. The measles vaccination schedule has not changed and health professionals insist that the vaccine is safe and effective.

Dr. Tran Dac Phu, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, says that from the end of last year, there were more than 3,300 cases of measles. Of those, 25 children died.

According to Phu, the disease has appeared in 59 provinces in the north and the south. The number of children under one year of age accounted for 16 percent.

The majority of cases can be attributed to children failing to be vaccinated, often because parents were not aware of the vaccination, or not aware of their child’s vaccination status. Notably, 4 percent of the patients had been fully vaccinated, with two doses, but nevertheless still caught the disease. The causes of the deaths were due to measles-related pneumonia.

The measles epidemic in Vietnam occurs within the overall context of the world, based on 3-4 year cycles, experts say.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long urges all provinces to complete their measles vaccination programs in April.

Le Ha