The patient was admitted to the emergency room with a fever and rash, and his condition quickly worsened to respiratory distress. Despite intensive efforts by doctors, he did not survive.

On April 10, Associate Professor, Dr. Do Duy Cuong, Director of the National Institute of Tropical Medicine at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, confirmed the fatality.

The deceased, Mr. N.D.H, suffered from underlying health conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

Three days before hospitalization, Mr. H. developed a dry cough, fever, and shortness of breath, followed by a rash that spread from his face to his torso. He was admitted to the hospital and, within four days, his respiratory distress worsened.

He was transferred to the intensive care unit at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, where he was diagnosed with measles complicated by pneumonia.

Initially treated with high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNC), he did not respond and required intubation and mechanical ventilation.

After two days of intensive care, the patient went into septic shock and suffered cardiac arrest. Although resuscitated, his condition worsened due to infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Despite advanced treatment, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), he did not respond and passed away. This is the first adult measles-related death in Vietnam in 2025.

Dr. Cuong noted a rise in measles patients with severe complications in 2025. The average age of hospitalized patients with measles now ranges from 30 to 65, with some patients as old as 70 suffering from severe complications requiring mechanical ventilation. Notably, 75% of patients could not recall whether they had received the measles vaccine.

Measles is a highly contagious disease transmitted via the respiratory route and can rapidly spread within communities if not controlled. Once diagnosed, patients must be immediately isolated for treatment to prevent further transmission.

Individuals with underlying health issues like diabetes or weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of severe progression and should be hospitalized for close monitoring and intervention.

Dr. Cuong emphasized that measles is a preventable infectious disease. Adults with weakened immune systems should receive booster vaccinations. Those who have not been vaccinated or are unsure of their vaccination status should receive the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) booster.

Phuong Thuy