HANOI: Vietnam’s southern economic centre, Ho Chi Minh City, has declared a measles outbreak after a rapid increase in infection cases and three fatalities, according to Vietnam News Agency. Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City, famously called Saigon, is the most populous city in Vietnam, with a population of around 10 million in the year 2023. This is the first time the bustling metropolis has declared a measles epidemic.
Measles is an extremely contagious respiratory disease leading to severe complications, such as Pneumonia, Encephalitis, Otitis Media, Keratitis, Diarrhoea, and in some cases, even death. Medical experts say that measles can be effectively contained only when the herd immunity rate reaches 95% and each individual has received two doses of the vaccination.
In response to the outbreak, the city will launch a campaign to supplement measles vaccination for all infants and children, from ages one to five, regardless of their previous vaccination record, local media reported. However, the vaccination age range may be adjusted based on the progression of the outbreak.
Healthcare facilities will arrange designated areas for measles screening. Every suspected case of measles; notably accompanied by rash fever, will be tested within 24 hours. The country’s Department of Health was requested to coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to urgently implement activities to prevent and control the spread of measles, including vaccination.
According to the HCM City Centre for Disease Control Centre, from the beginning of the year until 22 August, the city recorded a sum of 353 measles cases, while from 2021 to 2023 there was only one positive case. Last week alone, 85 cases of fever were reported out of which 20 cases were confirmed to be measles.
