VACCINATION: THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM MEASLES
Measles is among the most contagious viruses ever known. Its basic reproduction number (R₀), representing how many people an infected individual can spread the disease to without intervention, ranges from 12 to 18. This is nearly double COVID-19's R₀ (8–10) and similar to chickenpox (9–10).
12/23/2024 1:41:18 PM
Measles in Ho Chi Minh City
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control, as of the 50th week of 2024, the city recorded 373 measles cases, a 29% increase compared to the average of the previous four weeks, bringing the total cases since the beginning of the year to 3,189, including three deaths. Notably, the outbreak is rapidly increasing among children under 9 months and those aged 11 years and above.
Data from Children's Hospital 1 indicates that hospitalizations for measles cases continue to rise, especially among children from provinces, accounting for approximately 85% of admissions. Most of these children were either not vaccinated or only partially vaccinated against measles. The main reasons include parents forgetting the vaccination schedule or children's health not being optimal on the vaccination day. Alarmingly, 10–12% of these cases involve parents who are part of anti-vaccine groups.
Risk of a Measles Outbreak During Lunar New Year
Measles is among the most contagious viruses ever known. Its basic reproduction number (R₀), representing how many people an infected individual can spread the disease to without intervention, ranges from 12 to 18. This is nearly double COVID-19's R₀ (8–10) and similar to chickenpox (9–10).
Currently, measles management focuses on mitigating complications rather than eradicating the virus. Large gatherings during year-end festivals and the upcoming Lunar New Year, coupled with southern Vietnam's year-end weather, provide ideal conditions for measles to spread. Infected individuals can transmit the virus 3–4 days before symptoms appear, making it challenging to control its spread within families and communities. Without effective measures, a significant measles outbreak is highly likely in the near future.
Symptoms of Measles
Measles is an acute infectious disease caused by the measles virus. Without proper care, it can lead to severe complications and even death. The disease progresses through three main stages:
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Initial Stage (2–4 days): Children may experience mild fever, escalating to high fever (39–40°C), often resistant to antipyretics. Fever may subside once rashes appear. Additional symptoms may include red eyes, persistent coughing, watery eyes, runny nose, and inflammation of the nasal and throat linings.
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Active Rash Stage (2–5 days): After 3–4 days of high fever, rashes typically appear behind the ears and gradually spread to the forehead, chest, back, thighs, and feet. These are small, pinkish-red bumps that may cluster together in patches or spread out.
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Recovery Stage: As rashes fade, they turn gray and leave dark spots on the skin. However, if a child still has a fever after the rash disappears, complications could arise.
In atypical cases, children may present mild fever, limited rash, or minimal respiratory symptoms, making early detection challenging.
Complications from Measles
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Respiratory: Laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia
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Neurological: Encephalitis, acute myelitis, meningitis
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Gastrointestinal: Oral mucosa inflammation
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ENT: Secondary bacterial rhinitis, otitis media, mastoiditis
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Vaccination: The Best Protection Against Measles
Measles vaccines (monovalent or Measles-Rubella) are live attenuated vaccines that trigger immune response without causing illness. Effectiveness reaches 85–90% after the first dose at 9 months and nearly 99% after the second dose at 18 months.