Measles Prevention - According to the Department of Health (Ministry of Health), measles is an acute infectious disease caused by the measles virus. The disease occurs all year round but usually occurs in winter - spring, with a very high rate of infection from person to person, mainly through the respiratory tract.
The spread of epidemics can only be prevented when a population is fully vaccinated. People who have not been infected or have not been fully immunized with measles vaccine can get sick.
Measles is a very contagious disease
The disease is common in children under 5 years old or it can also be found in adults, due to not being vaccinated against measles or having been vaccinated but not enough doses. Measles is very contagious, especially in crowded places such as schools. The disease is transmitted inhalation through respiratory secretions of an infected person or can also be through direct contact or through contaminated hands with respiratory secretions containing pathogens. Children who are not vaccinated against measles and those who are not immune to the measles virus can get measles.
According to the latest report of the Ministry of Health, only during the Lunar New Year, the country recorded 664 cases of suspected measles fever in the provinces and cities, mainly in the North and the South. Although there has not been a major outbreak, the health sector said that the current season change with wet and rainy weather is a very favorable condition for respiratory diseases such as measles to thrive. Therefore, it is predicted that the number of measles cases could increase further in the coming time. So what do parents need to do to prevent their children from getting sick?
Vaccination - the best measure against measles
The Department of Preventive Medicine recommends that people:
Proactively carry out vaccination, this is the specific and best preventive measure against measles.
Take children 9-12 months old to the health facilities to get the measles vaccine 1, repeat injection 2 when the child is 18 months old.
Take children to get additional measles vaccination in at-risk areas according to injections organized by the health sector and local authorities.
Children over 5 years old and adults who have not been vaccinated against measles need to be vaccinated at service sites, otherwise there is a very high risk of getting measles at any time.
Preventing measles for children by guiding children to clean personal hygiene
What to do to prevent measles as recommended by the Ministry of Health?
Actively take children from 9 months to 2 years of age who have not yet vaccinated or have not had 2 doses of measles vaccine or children from 1 year to 14 years old are fully and on schedule measles - rubella vaccine .
Measles is very contagious, does not allow children to come close to or contact children with suspected measles. Wash your hands often with soap when caring for children.
Keep the child's body, nose, throat, eyes and mouth clean every day. Make sure the house and toilets are clear and clean. Increase nutrition for children.
Kindergartens, kindergartens and schools where children are concentrated should be kept clean and well-ventilated; regularly disinfect toys, school tools and classrooms with common disinfectants.
When detecting signs of fever, cough, runny nose, or rash, it is necessary to quickly isolate and bring the child to the nearest medical facility for prompt examination and treatment. Children should not be over-treated when they are not needed to avoid hospital overload and cross-infection in the hospital.
Do not allow children to share personal items (towels, brushes, glasses, cups, cups, bowls, chopsticks ...), toys or objects that are easily contaminated with nasopharyngeal secretions. Clean toys or objects suspected of contaminated with nasopharyngeal secretions with soap or common detergent with clean water.
Clean floors, doorknobs, countertops, chairs, toilets, or the surface of an object suspected of being contaminated with patient's nasopharyngeal discharge with soap or common detergent 1-2 times /day.
Regularly open windows, doors to let sunlight in and ensure ventilation for houses, classrooms, workplaces, treatment rooms every day.
Keep children out of school when sick. Limiting the concentration of people and meetings, especially in narrow rooms with little ventilation in the outbreak area.
To limit contact with infected or suspected persons, when having to contact the patient, must wear a medical mask and personal protective equipment.
When there are signs of measles (fever, cough, runny nose, rash), it is necessary to quickly isolate and take the child to the nearest medical facility for prompt examination, consultation and treatment. Children should not be over-treated when they are not needed to avoid hospital overload and cross-infection in the hospital.
see more
What to know about measles before a measles outbreak occurs
Signs of measles parents should keep in mind during epidemic season
Mumps and rubella injection schedule, mothers remember to give their children enough shots to prevent the disease effectively