With over 100 deaths and 1000 more infections, mostly young children, Vietnam is now taking steps to tackle the deadly outbreak of measles
At least 112 people -- the majority of them under 10 years old -- have died of the disease so far in 2014, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.
Measles
Measles is a viral infection with symptoms of fever,and rashes. Measles is prevented by vaccination and staying away from the infected individuals.
Advertisement
It warned that the number of deaths could rise because of cross infections, bad weather and overcrowding at pediatrics hospitals in major cities where panicked parents are bringing their infected children.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Wednesday called for authorities to be more "active" in preventing the spread of the disease.
The authorities are providing vaccines, stepping up surveillance of the disease and urging parents to seek treatment locally instead of at pediatric hospitals whose patients are vulnerable to infection.
![New Experimental Anti-viral Drug Offers Promise in Fight Against Measles]( "New Experimental Anti-viral Drug Offers Promise in Fight Against Measles")
A novel experimental anti-viral drug when taken orally could help contribute to measles eradication, show clinical trial results.
World Health Organisation representative Takeshi Kasai said he was "very concerned" about the outbreak.
"This virus is very infectious and difficult to control," he told AFP, adding that the best way to contain the disease was to encourage people to be vaccinated.
Vietnam has high rates of vaccinations for many early childhood diseases including measles, but may be falling victim to its own success as some parents -- particularly those who have read scare stories about vaccination side effects -- see less risk from leaving their children uninoculated.
Nguyen Hoa Lan, 38, said both her son and daughter -- aged 10 and 7 -- have become infected with measles in the last week.
"I am worried as I only vaccinated my daughter once... I forgot the second vaccination. But also because of scandals and rumour with the vaccination, I decided to skip it. Now it makes me worried," she told AFP.
"I can only pray that things will be ok."
Measles, a highly contagious viral disease which is particularly deadly for young children, claimed some 122,000 lives globally in 2012, the most recent year for which global figures are available, according to the WHO.
Back in 2000, the toll was a stark 562,000.
The measles vaccination is not particularly effective for children under nine months, the WHO said, so societies need to ensure high rates of vaccination among older children to boost overall immunity of the population.
Source: AFP
The authorities are providing vaccines, stepping up surveillance of the disease and urging parents to seek treatment locally instead of at pediatric hospitals whose patients are vulnerable to infection.
New Experimental Anti-viral Drug Offers Promise in Fight Against Measles
A novel experimental anti-viral drug when taken orally could help contribute to measles eradication, show clinical trial results.
Advertisement
World Health Organisation representative Takeshi Kasai said he was "very concerned" about the outbreak.
"This virus is very infectious and difficult to control," he told AFP, adding that the best way to contain the disease was to encourage people to be vaccinated.
Vietnam has high rates of vaccinations for many early childhood diseases including measles, but may be falling victim to its own success as some parents -- particularly those who have read scare stories about vaccination side effects -- see less risk from leaving their children uninoculated.
Nguyen Hoa Lan, 38, said both her son and daughter -- aged 10 and 7 -- have become infected with measles in the last week.
"I am worried as I only vaccinated my daughter once... I forgot the second vaccination. But also because of scandals and rumour with the vaccination, I decided to skip it. Now it makes me worried," she told AFP.
"I can only pray that things will be ok."
Measles, a highly contagious viral disease which is particularly deadly for young children, claimed some 122,000 lives globally in 2012, the most recent year for which global figures are available, according to the WHO.
Back in 2000, the toll was a stark 562,000.
The measles vaccination is not particularly effective for children under nine months, the WHO said, so societies need to ensure high rates of vaccination among older children to boost overall immunity of the population.
Source: AFP
Measles Deaths Drastically Reduced, but for Crisis Zones Like Syria
The number of people dying from measles has reduced drastically, thanks to the mass vaccination campaigns, except for the outbreaks in crisis zones like Syria, said the UN on Thursday.
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Research News
New study sheds light on the intrinsic, yet often overlooked, role of sleep preparation as a hardwired survival strategy.
Microgravity-induced bone loss in space, can be reduced by systemic delivery of NELL-1, a protein required for bone growth and its maintenance.
Researchers establish connections between Alzheimer's-linked genetic alterations and the functioning of brain cells.
Team at NeuroRestore introduces a groundbreaking gene therapy that has effectively promoted nerve regrowth and reconnection, post spinal cord injury.
Scientists aim to pinpoint particular functional pathways affected by these bacteria that may have an impact on skeletal health.
