Ms. Do Thi Lanh (24, from Tra Vinh province) found herself holding her 8-month-old son in isolation at Children's Hospital 1's Department of Infectious Diseases - Neurology. Her son, initially hospitalized for two weeks due to gastroenterological issues, developed a fever and a widespread rash on June 7, soon after being discharged. Diagnosed with measles and pneumonia complications, he had not yet reached the age of 9 months required for the first measles vaccination.

Dr. Du Tuan Quy, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neurology, disclosed that his department had treated five measles cases in the past month, several complicated by pneumonia, affecting children with underlying conditions such as congenital biliary atresia and thrombocytopenic purpura.

Children's Hospital 2 has also recorded two measles cases since early June, while Binh Tan and Hoc Mon districts have reported four community cases. Medical experts are alarmed by the potential for a widespread measles outbreak in 2024, coinciding with the five-year epidemic cycle.

Despite efforts, the vaccination rate for children in Ho Chi Minh City remains below the 95% threshold necessary for community immunity, exacerbated by vaccine supply interruptions in 2022-2023 under the Expanded Immunization Program. Many parents have also neglected vaccinations, leaving most measles cases unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.

Ms. Le Hong Nga, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control, emphasized the healthcare sector's collaboration with education authorities to review children's vaccination statuses proactively, particularly among family groups, to contain disease spread.

Dr. Du Tuan Quy stressed the importance of full vaccination for children with underlying health conditions, recommending pregnant mothers to receive measles vaccinations to protect newborns. Precautionary measures such as mask-wearing, hygiene practices, and avoiding contact with suspected cases are also advised to prevent disease transmission.

Measles remains a significant cause of death in children under five, known for severe complications including pneumonia, blindness, acute diarrhea, and encephalitis.

During a conference on epidemic prevention in the Southern region on June 11, Dr. Nguyen Vu Thuong of the Pasteur Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, highlighted alarming increases in measles, whooping cough, and dengue fever cases, emphasizing the imminent risk of a measles outbreak.

As of May 31, the Southern region reported 317 suspected measles cases across 19 provinces and cities, with one fatality at the HCM City Children's Hospital. Kien Giang province, particularly Phu Quoc, reported the highest incidence, with 157 suspected cases, including 83 confirmed measles cases.

Bach Duong