Authorities of Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi are trying to stop measles virus from spreading in order to prevent an epidemic, state media reported. Since December 2013 doctors have confirmed 40 incidences of the virus, focusing mainly in the districts of Hai Ba Trung, Thanh Xuan, Hoang Mai, Dong Da, Ba Dinh, Long Bien, Hoan Kiem, Cau Giay and Ha Dong. About 30 cases tested positive for the virus from February 1-6. Children under the age of 5 are particularly vulnerable to contacting the highly contagious respiratory infection, with its flu like symptoms. The only known way of preventing the infection is through vaccination and notably health officials report that 40% of the confirmed cases did not receive a vaccination shot. Meanwhile, only 12.5% of those who contracted the virus had previously been vaccinated with the remaining cases of unknown vaccination history. The Hanoi Department of Health is warning that the epidemic is likely to spread in the coming time and has asked grassroots level medical centres to enhance monitoring, adopt early detection measures and isolate affected areas. The Ministry of Health reports measles has also been also detected in other northern provinces, including Son La (87 cases), Yen Bai (65) and Lao Cai (117). (VOV Feb 7)
