DIPHTHERIA – VIET NAM: (NGHE AN, BAC GIANG) FATAL, ALERT, QUARANTINE
OF CLOSE CONTACTS
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Source: Tuoi Tre News [edited] https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20240708/2-vietnamese-girls-require-medical-attention-after-roommate-dies-of-diphtheria/80851.html
Two 18-year-old girls hailing from Nghe An Province, north-central
Viet Nam have been hospitalized and quarantined following the death of
their roommate who contracted diphtheria.
The Center for Disease Control of Nghe An recently informed its
counterpart in Bac Giang Province, northern Viet Nam of the fatal
case, as these 2 girls work at a karaoke parlor in Bac Giang’s Hiep
Hoa District and had close contact with the diphtheria patient.
Earlier, the girls, namely M.T.B. and M.T.S., returned to their
hometown in Nghe An’s Ky Son District for taking part in the national
high school graduation exam from 25 to 28 Jun 2024 and shared a room
with the patient. The girls left Ky Son for Hiep Hoa on 1 Jul 2024 to
work at a karaoke parlor.
After learning that the roommate died of diphtheria on 5 Jul 2024, the
duo bought over-the-counter medicines to soothe their sore throat. Two
days later, M.T.B. was taken to the Hanoi-based National Hospital for
Tropical Diseases for medical treatment as she tested positive for
diphtheria, while M.T.S. was put under quarantine.
According to health authorities, diphtheria is an acute bacterial
infection that affects the throat and the upper respiratory tract
including the nose, nasopharynx, nasal cavity, and pharynx. This
contagious disease can lead to outbreaks and can be fatal. Diphtheria
patients without proper treatment can die in 6-10 days.
To avoid catching diphtheria, people are advised to keep personal
hygiene, wash hands regularly with soap, cover their mouth when
coughing or sneezing, refrain from having contact with those with
probable or confirmed diphtheria, and keep their homes and the
surroundings clean and airy. People with suspected diphtheria should
seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Diphtheria is not only treatable but also preventable with vaccines.
The national expanded program on immunization is providing free
vaccination against diphtheria to children aged under one. Parents
should have their kids get booster shots as the vaccine protection
against the disease could wane over time.