Even though the authorities say they are bringing the measles outbreak under control, many parents in Hanoi have sent their children to their hometowns in hopes of avoiding infection.

Hanoi has reported a total of 1,253 measles cases, and over the past ten days, the city recorded an average of 20 to 22 new cases each day. The city has to date recorded 14 measles-related deaths.

These high numbers have been a source of great worry to many parents, prompting many to move their children out of Hanoi. One mother who lives on Kham Thien Street said she took off work on the morning of April 21 to take her child to her hometown in order to avoid measles. “My daughter is two, and even though she has been vaccinated, the development of measles recently is scary. I decided to take her to my hometown until the situation here becomes better," she said.

Parents send children out of Hanoi to avoid measles

Another woman from Lang Ha Ward took earlier action. She took her two children to her hometown in Bac Ninh Province nearly one month ago. She said she did it on the advice of a hospital that recommended children be taken out of hot spots.

A considerable number of other parents in the capital have followed suit.

The Ministry of Health said that measles has broken out in 61 out of the 63 cities and provinces nationwide, with a total of over 8,000 patients and 114 deaths.

However, medical authorities have said that the situation is still controllable.

Nguyen Van Hien, Director of the Hanoi municipal Department of Health said the number of suspected measles cases has been on the decrease recently. The city reported no measles-related deaths since April 14.

Minister of Health, Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, says the disease's spread is slowing

The minister of Health, Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, also confirmed that the development of measles in Hanoi is slowing.

In a  move to prevent the spread of the disease, the municipal government has decided to spend VND75 billion (USD3.55 million) on the purchases of medicines, materials, and equipment for measles prevention and treatment.