Localities urged to monitor measles, influenza, respiratory outbreaks

The move was made as the number of flu cases has increased locally since the end of 2024 and during the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday.

The World Health Organization has warned that measles is on the rise in many countries, while influenza syndromes and acute respiratory infections have also shown signs of increasing rapidly since the end of 2024.

In Viet Nam, there has been no sudden change compared to previous years. In particular, the common influenza virus strains are influenza A/H3N2, A/H1N1 and influenza B.

The ministry said that currently, the winter-spring weather with humid climate are favorable environments for the virus' development and wide spread. In addition, the high demand for travel, trade and festival activities at the beginning of the year increases the risk of disease outbreaks.

The ministry urged provincial and municipal authorities to ramp up vaccination efforts amid rising cases of measles and other infectious diseases. Special focus should be placed on individuals who have missed or not completed their measles immunization.

Authorities should also ensure high vaccination coverage under the Expanded Immunization Program to strengthen community immunity and prevent outbreaks, the ministry emphasized.

People are encouraged to proactively get vaccinated against influenza and women of childbearing age shout have shots against measles and rubella.

Health departments must closely monitor outbreaks, track suspected cases in hospitals, schools, industrial zones, and communities, and ensure rapid response measures are in place. Authorities are also required to secure sufficient medical personnel, equipment, and supplies to prevent potential case surges effectively./.