HCM City (VNA) - Minister ofHealth Nguyen Thi Kim Tien has asked hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City todetect, classify and isolate patients with measles, dengue fever or hand-foot-mouth(HFM) disease to avoid cross-contamination.

Tien made the request at the launching ceremony of acampaign in HCM City on October 12 to prevent possible outbreaks duringthe peak season for these infections. The campaign, jointly kicked off bythe Ministry of Health and the municipal People’s Committee, aims to mobilisethe entire healthcare system and community.

The minister called on local hospitals to strengthenpreventive measures to control the spread of disease. She also asked media toprovide information about preventive measures to raise awarenessabout those diseases among the community.

The campaign is urging everyone to wash their handsregularly with water and soap, disinfect homes, schools and publicplaygrounds, and get vaccinations against measles.

Authorised agencies should closely monitor the situation inschools and take steps to prevent the spread of dengue fever, Tiensaid.

With a high population density and many migrant workers, thecity has favourable conditions for the development of many infectious diseases.

Hospitals in the city regularly receive many severe casesfrom neighbouring provinces.

About 40-50 percent of all infections at Pediatrics Hospital1, Pediatrics Hospital 2, HCM City Pediatrics Hospital and HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases arefrom neighbouring provinces.

In the first nine months of the year, HFM disease and denguefever have a significant decrease in the number of cases in thecity. The city recorded 3,678 in-patient cases and 14,714 out-patientcases of HFM, with a decrease of 21 percent compared to the same period lastyear.

Meanwhile, the number of dengue fever cases fell 14 percentagainst the same period last year, with 13,127 in-patient cases and 8,106out-patient cases.

The city has recorded 143 fever and rashcases, with 46 of those testing positive for measles. Its health sector is expanding the use of geographicinformation system (GIS) technology for disease surveillance. Currently, measles vaccines are being offered free for childrenborn in 2016 and 2017 in the city.

The city is alsooffering free measles-rubella combination vaccines for childrenaged three to five. It is home to 319 medical stations, 13 hospitals andmore than 100 vaccination facilities.-VNA