The two most recent deaths were reported by doctors at Hanoi’s Bach Mai Hospital on May 1, bringing the total number of fatalities at the hospital to 25 so far this year.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) reports that as of May 1, cumulatively 51 children in the country have been diagnosed with measles. So far, the disease has spread to 61 out of the 63 provinces and cities, having recorded 3,883 incidences of the disease.

Roughly 235 patients are currently being treated at the National Hospital of Paediatrics with nine new cases hospitalized on May 1.

Meanwhile Bach Mai hospital is currently treating 75 patients with12 new cases reported on May 1.

Measles is generally recognised as a benign disease that can cause rapid immunodeficiency, leading to other diseases including pneumonia and diarrhea, which often is very serious and causes death.  The best treatment for children is prevention by vaccination.

According to MoH, as of May 1, the average nationwide measles immunisation rate reached 84.8%.

Sixteen provinces and cities having vaccination rates of more than 95% and  include Quang Nam, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tien Giang, Bac Ninh, Hanoi, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Phu Yen, Kon Tum, Can Tho, Dak Nong, Phu Tho, Hai Duong, Ca Mau, Ninh Binh and Hau Giang.

Also on May 1, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long has asked relevant departments of health to strengthen prevention of hand-foot and-mouth disease (HFM) which is likely to break out. Since early this year, more than 17,400 cases of HFM have been recorded nationwide, particularly in HCM City, Dak Lak, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Kon Tum and Ca Mau.

On the same day, the Health Preventive Department has asked 11 localities with high number of measles infections in April to carry out a vaccination campaign for children aged 2-10 in May.