Hanoi (VNA) –🧔 Vietnam has recorded 6,725 cases of measles since the beginning of 2024, a 130-fold increase over 2023, according to the Ministry of Health.

Along with the increase in cases, 13 fatalities have also been reported this year, mainly children and the elderly with underlying diseases. The ministry forecast that in 2025, there is a continued risk in the surge of measles, and other vaccine-preventable diseases, as vaccination coverage has not yet reached optimal levels. To prevent and control measles, the Ministry’s Department of Preventive Medicine recommends taking children aged 9 months to 2 years who have not yet been vaccinated or have not received both doses to get fully vaccinated according to the schedule, keeping children away from those suspected of having measles, regularly washing hands with soap when caring for children. It is also necessary to maintain daily hygiene for children, provide adequate nutrition, and ensure that the home and toilet facilities are well-ventilated and clean. Nurseries, kindergartens, and schools, where large numbers of children gather, need to maintain cleanliness, proper ventilation, and regularly disinfect toys, learning materials, and classrooms. If symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, or rash are detected, children should be isolated immediately and taken to the nearest healthcare facility for examination and timely treatment, according to the department./.