A number of scarlet fever cases suspected of measles have been recorded in the northern provinces of Son La and Hoa Binh, said the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Health Ministry.
Fifty cases were reported between August 15-30 in Van Ho district, Son La province while 93 others were seen from August 18 to September 4 in Hang Kia commune, Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province. Most of them were from the Mong ethnic minority group.
The department attributed poor access to healthcare services and a low measles vaccination rate to a high risk of an outbreak of the disease.
In response to the situation, the local health care sectors have rolled out a number of measures, including strengthening supervision over the disease to soon detect infected cases and immediately vaccinating children aged from 1-14.
The Health Departments of Son La and Hoa Binh have also increased mobile vaccination points in remote villages and communes as part of efforts to give vaccinations to ethnic minority people, while strengthening communications on preventive measures against measles.
Earlier this year, nearly 4,000 measles cases were reported across 61 out of 63 provinces and cities nationwide, mostly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), measles is one of the leading causes of death among young children. The disease, which is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family, kills about 330 people every day or 14 people every hour.
Other News
- Hanoi works on cleanup, disease prevention after Typhoon Yagi
- Most schools in Hanoi reopen after Typhoon Yagi
- Hanoi schools closed due to super typhoon Yagi
- Hanoi drums up new school year 2024-2025
- Hanoi leads the country in student number
- Local authorities seek better management of school buses
- International students in Vietnam hit nine-year high
- Prime Minister pledges to promote education in new school year
- Snoring and mouth opening/breathing during sleep can be signs of severe sleep apnea
- Hanoi introduces electronic student records in secondary education
Trending
-
Hanoi Autumn Festival 2024 welcomes 50,000 visitors
-
Vietnam news in brief - September 22
-
Vietnam's lesser-known Autumn destinations
-
Nostalgia for Hanoi draft beer
-
Hanoi Times Weekly Podcast - Sep. 21
-
Compassionate action brings a new future to Lang Nu kids
-
PM: All resources focused on accelerating key transportation projects
-
Most schools in Hanoi reopen after Typhoon Yagi
-
The weight of psychological messages