In the capital city of Hanoi, recent weeks have seen a sharp rise in measles cases, with hundreds of cases recorded per week. Just last week alone, 210 cases were detected, while previous weeks also saw case numbers exceeding 200 each.

According to the Hanoi Centre for Disease Control (CDC), the number of measles cases shows no signs of decreasing, and most infections occur among individuals who are either unvaccinated or have not received full immunization.

Authorities forecast that the number of infections will likely continue to rise, particularly among those aged over 6.

In central Da Nang city, the outbreak has shown a steady increase since February 2025, reported the municipal Department of Health. statistics show the city recorded approximately 3,700 suspected measles cases from the beginning of the year to April 6, with 973 confirmed positive through laboratory testing.

Da Nang has implemented bold measures to contain the outbreak, including an urgent measles vaccination campaign. The city has arranged around 700 hospital beds across local healthcare facilities to handle the influx of patients, including 30 beds for severe cases. It has also ensured the availability of medical staff, equipment, medication, and other resources for treatment.

In Quang Binh province, another locality in the central region, there has been a sudden spike in measles cases among children. On average, the Vietnam–Cuba Dong Hoi Friendship Hospital is receiving 45–50 children per day with measles or measles-like symptoms. The hospital has allocated an entire pediatrics ward for measles treatment, and at times, borrowed beds and medical equipment to meet the demand for inpatient care.

Many children have developed complications such as severe pneumonia, with some requiring mechanical ventilation.

Notably, the National Institute of Tropical Medicine at Bach Mai Hospital last week reported the first adult death due to measles. The patient died after contracting measles on top of existing conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes.

The Ministry of Health earned the current measles outbreak has already affected many adults, with some experiencing severe complications. It has called for strengthened efforts to prevent and control measles, aiming to limit severe and fatal cases.

The Ministry recommended that high-risk individuals, including those with chronic lung disease, diabetes, hypertension, or people over 50 years old, especially those with unclear vaccination history or who have never had measles, should proactively get vaccinated to build immunity.

“Receiving full vaccination does not only protect yourself but also helps control community transmission,” said Associate Professor Dr. Do Duy Cuong, director of the National Institute of Tropical Medicine.

Faced with the ongoing surge in cases, local authorities across affected provinces are scaling up treatment capacity and intensifying vaccination efforts to prevent further spread of the disease.

Vietnam records first adult measles death of the year

VOV.VN - The Institute of Clinical Medicine for Tropical Diseases under Bach Mai Hospital has confirmed the first adult death from measles in 2025.