Measles uptick in Ho Chi Minh City
On June 17, officials with Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) said that the hospital is currently treating 5 cases of measles. Specifically, there are currently 2 cases (8 months old, living in Ben Tre province) and 3 cases aged 4-5 years old. Notably, most children have not been vaccinated against disease.
According to the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City, as of week 23 of 2024, Ho Chi Minh City recorded 16 cases of measles. The cases are mainly in children 24 months old and not fully vaccinated.
Realizing that the risk of a measles outbreak is increasing as new cases are continuously recorded, the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City has issued an urgent dispatch on ensuring measles treatment, prevention and monitoring to the above hospitals. The city area aims to be proactive in treatment, early detection and prevention of infection risks, and limit epidemic outbreaks.
Accordingly, the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City requires hospitals to proactively review resources and consolidate activities in infectious disease treatment departments and units. At the same time, organize retraining for all medical staff at the unit.
Plan for drugs, laboratory biological products, medical equipment, and medical supplies to ensure timely treatment of patients according to treatment levels; Review and consolidate the reception, screening process, and criteria for classifying patients for outpatient and inpatient treatment.
Ensure timely examination and diagnosis of measles, correct assessment of the disease condition for early detection and isolation of suspected or infected cases of measles, and prescribe hospitalization for measles treatment according to Correct instructions, correct route to avoid overload and reduce cross-infection in the hospital.
For cases of severe or critical measles patients, units proactively consult with the city's measles treatment expert team (doctors from Children's Hospital 1, Children's Hospital 2, City Children's Hospital, Hospital for Tropical Diseases) for support, professional advice or transfer patients to tertiary hospitals for further treatment.
Hospitals need to coordinate closely with the City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) to investigate and take samples of all cases of measles-like typhus that are examined or hospitalized for definitive diagnostic testing. determine the cause. Full report on the Infectious Disease Surveillance Management System. At the same time, quickly report to the Department of Medical Operations, Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City in cases of serious illness or abnormalities.
Proactively implement measures to prevent measles infection at the unit, comply with infection control regulations and procedures. Promote communication activities on measles prevention and control measures for all patients, patients' relatives and medical staff at the unit.
In addition, hospitals such as Children's Hospital 1, Children's Hospital 2, City Children's Hospital and Tropical Diseases Hospital proactively prepare resources (medicines, medical equipment, medical supplies, hospital beds). ,...) is ready to receive severe measles cases from medical facilities in the city and other provinces and cities.
Coordinate with the city's measles treatment expert team to strengthen consultation, consultation and professional support for lower-level hospitals according to the division and hospitals according to the referral system approved by the Ministry of Health. international assignment.
Continue to maintain periodic professional meetings with tertiary hospitals in southern provinces/cities on the treatment of measles and other circulating infectious diseases.
The Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City also requested the City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) to strengthen communication about the risk of measles and prevention and control measures, and encourage people to get vaccinated to proactively prevent and control the disease. disease for yourself and your family; At the same time, parents are advised to detect early signs of measles in children so that they can promptly visit medical facilities.
Closely monitor and monitor the measles situation to early detect cases in the community and at medical facilities. Act as the focal point and coordinate with medical examination and treatment facilities in the city to carry out investigation and monitoring of measles and suspected measles cases.