Vietnam: The Ministry of Health strengthens prevention and control of measles and avian influenza transmission in healthcare facilities

The Ministry of Health strengthens prevention and control of measles and avian influenza transmission in healthcare facilities (Image from the Internet)

On July 11, 2024, the Ministry of Health of Vietnam issued Official Dispatch 3935/BYT-KCB on enhancing the prevention and control of measles and pertussis infections in medical examination and treatment facilities.

The Ministry of Health strengthens prevention and control of measles and avian influenza transmission in healthcare facilities

According to the content in Official Dispatch 3935/BYT-KCB of 2024, to ensure safety and minimize the risk of infection and outbreak of measles and pertussis in medical examination and treatment facilities, the Ministry of Health requests:

- Department of Health of provinces, central- affiliated cities, and health sectors:

+ Develop a plan for measles and pertussis prevention and control and implement measles and pertussis prevention activities in the province, including vaccination activities.

+ Direct preventive health units to promptly detect new cases, conduct investigations, identify sources of infection, organize containment, and handle outbreaks of measles and pertussis.

+ Direct affiliated hospitals to properly manage the intake of measles and pertussis patients; promptly treat, minimize severe cases and fatalities. Strictly implement infection control regulations to avoid cross-infection and outbreaks of measles and pertussis in medical examination and treatment facilities as per item 2 in Official Dispatch 3935/BYT-KCB of 2024.

+ Properly implement the measles and pertussis vaccination plan of 2024 and regularly conduct monthly vaccination for those under the Extended Immunization Program.

+ Closely coordinate with the Department of Information and Communications, media agencies, the press, and local communication systems to recommend and guide the public on preventive measures and complete vaccination against measles and pertussis.

+ Direct healthcare units to fully report information on cases and outbreaks on the Online Infectious Disease Surveillance System as per Circular 54/2015/TT-BYT; strictly implement vaccination management regulations at local vaccination facilities and update information on the vaccination management platform.

+ Review and ensure logistics, funding, medicines, biological products, materials, chemicals, vaccines for epidemic prevention, equipment, personnel... to serve regular vaccination and epidemic prevention activities according to the 4 local principles.

- Medical examination and treatment facilities under the Ministry of Health and universities:

+ Be ready with conditions to respond to epidemics:

++  Consolidate  the  unit's  epidemic  prevention  steering  committee.++  Prepare  plans  for  epidemic  prevention  and  response  according  to  the  level  and  scale  of  the  epidemic.

- Issue guidelines and procedures for dealing with suspected or confirmed cases upon examination at the facility, including screening, triage, isolation, and transferring infected individuals to treatment areas.

++  Prepare  isolation  areas  for  treatment  or  temporary  isolation  for  individuals  with  suspected  measles  and  pertussis,  depending  on  the  scale  and  directives  of  the  authorities  and  local  health  management.
++  Conduct  epidemiological  investigation  upon  the  first  case  of  measles  or  pertussis.
++  Ensure  adequate  personal  protective  equipment  for  healthcare  workers  providing  direct  examination,  treatment,  and  care  for  infected  or  suspected  measles  and  pertussis  cases.

+ Screening and isolation of infected or suspected cases:

Enhance  screening,  early  detection,  and  promptly  isolate  infected  or  suspected  measles  and  pertussis  cases  at  medical  examination  and  treatment  facilities;  Mild,  uncomplicated  cases  can  be  guided  for  isolation  and  treatment  at  home  or  local  health  stations.

+ Vaccinate against diseases:

Support  healthcare  staff,  patients  in  contact  with  infected  or  suspected  measles  and  pertussis  cases  to  assess  immunity  status  and  get  vaccinated.

+ Strictly comply with infection control measures:

++  Implement  standard  precautions  combined  with  transmission-based  precautions  upon  detecting  infected  or  suspected  cases  of  measles  and  pertussis.++  Strengthen  monitoring,  inspection,  and  support  adherence  to  regulations  and  procedures  for  controlling  the  infection  of  measles  and  pertussis  among  health  workers,  patients,  and  their  families.

- Information and education:

++  Increase  communication  efforts  on  infection  prevention,  detection,  handling  of  suspected  cases  of  measles  and  pertussis  for  healthcare  workers,  the  community,  and  medical  examination  and  treatment  facilities.
++  Train  healthcare  workers  on  screening,  examination,  treatment,  care,  and  controlling  measles  and  pertussis  infections  to  be  ready  in  case  of  an  outbreak  in  medical  examination  and  treatment  facilities.
++  Direct  localities  to  enhance  communication,  and  management  of  measles  and  pertussis  vaccination  for  children;  check  and  ensure  adequate  vaccine  supplies.

+ Coordinate in epidemic prevention efforts:

++  Organize  close  coordination  with  local,  regional,  and  national  health  agencies  to  update  information  on  measles  and  pertussis.
++  Implement  surveillance  and  control  measures  according  to  regulations.
++  Promptly  report  and  fully  inform  on  measles  and  pertussis  cases  at  the  unit  as  regulated.

More details can be found in Official Dispatch 3935/BYT-KCB issued on July 11, 2024.

Vo Tan Dai

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