MEASLES – VIET NAM (09): (HANOI) ADULT PATIENT, FATAL
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.orgDate: Thu 10 Apr 2025
Source: Tuoi Tre News [in Vietnamese, trans., edited] https://tuoitre.vn/da-co-nguoi-lon-chet-do-benh-soi-o-ha-noi-20250410155357533.htmThe Institute of Tropical Medicine, Bach Mai Hospital has recorded the
first adult measles death this year [2025]. [The patient] died of
measles [with preexisting] chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and
diabetes mellitus.According to information from Bach Mai Hospital, the patient was
admitted with severe lung complications and required dialysis and
ECMO. After 2 weeks of treatment, the patient passed away.According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, from the
beginning of 2025 to the end of 20 Mar 2025, the country recorded 42
488 suspected measles cases in 63 provinces and cities; 5 deaths
[were] related to measles. The majority of cases were in children from
9 months to under 15 years old (72.7%).Although measles is most common in children, adults with measles are
still at risk of developing severe illness. According to information
from the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Bach Mai Hospital, since the
beginning of the year [2025], the hospital has received hundreds of
measles cases in adults. Every day, the hospital receives 10-20 adult
patients with measles with symptoms of fever, rash, cough, watery
eyes, and runny nose.Many patients progressed severely with complications of pneumonia,
respiratory failure, increased liver enzymes, diarrhea, and even
encephalitis.Most of them have not been vaccinated, or have been vaccinated against
measles but not given a booster shot. Measles cases are usually
between 30 and 50 years old and subjectively do not think they have
measles, so when they are hospitalized, the disease is already
severe.Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can easily
spread to the community if not controlled. Therefore, when diagnosed
with measles, the patient must be immediately isolated for treatment
to avoid spreading the disease to other cases.Measles cases with complications such as upper respiratory tract
infection, pneumonia, increased liver enzymes, liver failure, multiple
organ failure requiring dialysis, [and] respiratory failure requiring
endotracheal intubation account for about 5% of hospitalized
patients.People with underlying diseases such as diabetes and immunodeficiency
are at higher risk and can easily progress to severe disease requiring
mechanical intervention.Regarding disease prevention, experts recommend that measles is an
infectious disease and can be prevented by vaccination. The measles
vaccine is included in the Expanded Immunization Program, given to
children from 9 months, then given again when the child is 18 months
old or 2 years old.For adults, when the immune system is reduced, a booster shot is also
[Byline: Duong Lieu]
needed. If you have not been vaccinated or do not remember your
vaccination history, you can get a booster shot with the
measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.