Vietnam measles outbreak: critical situation in Hanoi hospitals

Vietnamese health officials reported a concerning rise in measles cases after an inspection of major hospitals in Hanoi on March 27. The Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, for example, has recorded over 1800 measles patients in the first quarter of 2025. According to the hospital’s deputy director Cao Viet Tung, 60% were unvaccinated or too young to receive the vaccine. The hospital sees up to 90 suspected measles cases daily, with some days exceeding 100. It has also reported 13 measles-related deaths due to complications such as pneumonia, metabolic disorders, and meningitis. Tung expressed concern about overcrowded wards and a lack of standard isolation rooms. Since 2024, Bach Mai Hospital’s Center for Tropical Diseases has also treated 104 measles patients, with two requiring mechanical ventilation and one ECMO support. 75% of the patients were unsure about their vaccination status. Do Duy Cuong, director of the center, said they receive 10 to 20 adult measles patients daily, some with severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. He emphasized the importance of immediate isolation for suspected cases because measles is highly contagious, spreading rapidly through respiratory droplets. He also underlined that 5% of hospital cases need mechanical ventilation, dialysis, or intensive care due to the development of serious complications.
Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan has urged hospitals to prepare for all outbreak scenarios. They must develop contingency plans for isolating and treating patients, as well as coordinate department capacity and infection control to reduce cross-contamination risks if the outbreak continues to expand.