In recent days, Da Nang has seen a significant increase in the number of patients infected with measles.

If children under 2 years of age receive 2 measles shots as required, they should be immune to the disease for their whole lives.

Since early April, a total of 43 children in the city have tested positive for measles, especially those living in the districts of Lien Chieu, Cam Le, Ngu Hanh Son, and Hoa Vang.

According to Dr Dang Quang Anh from the Ward for Infectious Diseases Prevention of the municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most of local children infected with measles have not been vaccinated against measles or have not received 2 measles doses as required.

He added measles is transmitted primarily from person to person by large respiratory droplets that spray into the air. He added that about 90% of the children might have caught their measles via direct contact with infected children. As a result, such places as kindergartens, schools, and populated areas are likely to face a high risk of possible outbreaks.

Dr Anh remarked under the nation’s expanded immunisation programme, over 57,000 of the city’s children are vaccinated against measles every year, representing about 95% of the year’s target. It means that about 3,000 children have yet to be vaccinated against this disease, hence outbreaks of measles can occur at any time.

He emphasised the safest and most effective way to prevent measles is to ensure that children are fully vaccinated against measles.

Importance should be attached to increasing public awareness about ways to prevent the spread of this infectious disease, including washing hands with soap, as well as avoiding sharing personal objects (glass, dishes, towel, tooth brush etc…).