Health agencies in central Quang Nam province are taking drasticmeasures to mitigate the adverse effects of a recent diphtheriaoutbreak.
It is the first outbreak recorded inmany decades in mountainous Phuoc Loc commune of Phuoc Son district andhas claimed three lives so far this year.
The province has zoned off the area and carried out disinfectionprocedures. The Quang Nam Health Department is organising a vaccinationprogramme for all locals living in the vulnerable locality.
The department’s Director Nguyen Van Hai declaredQuang Nam’s determination to curb disease fatalities through maintainingregular inspections, launching intensive treatments for currentpatients and educating residents on diphtheria and basic hygienicpractices.
Working groups from the HealthDepartment will visit each local home to run a communication campaign.The national health sector has prepared medication and medical equipmentto support disease-affected provinces as necessary.
According to the provincial department, ten others with classicdiphtheria symptoms of high fever and swollen and painful throat arebeing treated at the district’s medical centre and their conditions areimproving.
Phuoc Loc commune is home to23,635 people, 70 percent of whom are Bh’noong ethnic minorities whostill subsist on nomadic farming and have little access to healthservices.
Diphtheria is a dangerousrespiratory disease caused by a potent toxin produced by certain strainsof the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It is extremelycontagious through coughing or sneezing. Risk factors include crowding,poor hygiene, and lack of immunisations.
The disease can be treated and cured successfully with antitoxins andantibiotics if started early enough. Diphtheria can be preventedthrough vaccinations.-VNA
It is the first outbreak recorded inmany decades in mountainous Phuoc Loc commune of Phuoc Son district andhas claimed three lives so far this year.
The province has zoned off the area and carried out disinfectionprocedures. The Quang Nam Health Department is organising a vaccinationprogramme for all locals living in the vulnerable locality.
The department’s Director Nguyen Van Hai declaredQuang Nam’s determination to curb disease fatalities through maintainingregular inspections, launching intensive treatments for currentpatients and educating residents on diphtheria and basic hygienicpractices.
Working groups from the HealthDepartment will visit each local home to run a communication campaign.The national health sector has prepared medication and medical equipmentto support disease-affected provinces as necessary.
According to the provincial department, ten others with classicdiphtheria symptoms of high fever and swollen and painful throat arebeing treated at the district’s medical centre and their conditions areimproving.
Phuoc Loc commune is home to23,635 people, 70 percent of whom are Bh’noong ethnic minorities whostill subsist on nomadic farming and have little access to healthservices.
Diphtheria is a dangerousrespiratory disease caused by a potent toxin produced by certain strainsof the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It is extremelycontagious through coughing or sneezing. Risk factors include crowding,poor hygiene, and lack of immunisations.
The disease can be treated and cured successfully with antitoxins andantibiotics if started early enough. Diphtheria can be preventedthrough vaccinations.-VNA
