Central hospitals see fewer new measles patients   Measles vaccination in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) Central hospitals saw a slight decrease in the number of new measles patient on April 19, the Preventive Medicine Department under the Ministry of Health has reported. On April 19, there were 14 new measles patients, six fewer than the April 18’s figure. One death of measles-linked diseases was recorded in the Central Hospital of Pediatrics in Hanoi . The Department announced that measles cases have not concentrated in one locality but scattered in many cities and provinces nationwide. A report from the Ministry of Health said that 116 more measles cases were reported on April 19 in 32 cities and provinces across the nation. Since the beginning of this year, the disease recorded 3,360 cases in 61 out of 63 cities and provinces. It has claimed 25 lives so far, mostly children aged below 10 years. At the same time, 116 deaths have been caused by measles complications. Meanwhile, 12 provinces nationwide recorded no new cases over the past 21 days. According to the Department, vaccination against measles is also being stepped up over the past days. As much as 57.5 percent of unvaccinated children have been given shots during the additional round of the national vaccination campaign as of April 19. To help the public fully understand the disease and preventive measures, the Ministry of Health has issued an updated guideline on measles diagnosis and treatment based on the 2009 one. The guideline has been popularised in all cities and provinces across the country, while experienced doctors have been sent to local hospitals to support them in treatment. Also on April 19, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien worked with the Hanoi Healthcare Department on measles prevention and control and inspected the work at some hospitals. Meanwhile, her deputies examined the work in the capital and Ho Chi Minh City.-VNA