Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has requested the Ministry of Health to take urgent measures to soon control measles epidemic which has infected 3,569 people over the past four months, of whom at least 119 died. The number of infected patients is still large, the prime minister said at a meeting in Hanoi yesterday, where he criticized the ministry for slow and ineffective response in curbing the disease. A report from the ministry showed that children under 10 accounted for 68.3% of measles patients. Of the infected children, 10% had acquired just one shot of vaccine while 4.4% had two shots. All of the fatal cases were children, with a majority in Hanoi. Thanh Nien newspaper, however, reported that the number of measles deaths rose to 127 as of April 22 and doctors announced unusual developments in the virus’ effects on children respiratory systems. Dr Nguyen Tien Dung, head of the Bach Mai Hospital’s pediatrics department, said three children had gone into severe respiratory decline a day after they became infected. One has already died, he said, adding that subsequent tests found no contributing factors other than measles, driving doctors to conclude that the virus had struck their lungs. Measles is a common childhood viral illness of the paramyxovirus family which carries symptoms of high fever, a runny nose, white spots in the mouth, and a hallmark rash. In Vietnam, it is recommended that children have a first measles vaccination dose at 9 months old and a second after 12 months. The WHO says two doses of the vaccine are needed to ensure immunity and prevent outbreaks, as about 15% of vaccinated children fail to develop immunity from the first dose. In Vietnam’s previous measles flare-up in 2009-2010, there were two deaths, according to reports. (Vietnamplus Apr 23, VnExpress Apr 23)
