Brian Jeffrey
The Bac Giang Provincial Center for Disease Control confirmed a case of diphtheria, a highly contagious and potentially deadly respiratory infection.
The infected person, M.T.B., 18 years old, is residing in Trung Tam Hamlet, Hop Thinh Commune, Hiep Hoa District, Bac Giang, with permanent residency in Pha Danh Commune, Ky Son District, Nghe An Province.
Following the report of a diphtheria-related death in Ky Son District from Nghe An CDC on July 6, investigations revealed M.T.B. and another individual had close contact with the deceased and were staying temporarily in Hop Thinh Commune, Bac Giang.
Bac Giang CDC, along with the Hiep Hoa District Health Center, conducted surveillance and collected samples from close contacts upon receiving this information.
Preliminary findings suggest that M.T.B. and the other individual traveled to Nghe An for exams on June 25-28, stayed with the deceased patient, and returned to Bac Giang on July 1.
After learning about their roommate’s diphtheria-related death on July 5 and experiencing sore throat symptoms, both students took antibiotics from a local pharmacy.
M.T.B. was moved to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi for treatment after the diphtheria diagnosis, as Bac Giang had run out of diphtheria antitoxin.
The Bac Giang Department of Health’s Deputy Director, Dr. Tu Quoc Hieu, has directed the sanitation of high-risk areas, screening of close contacts, and enforcement of isolation until two consecutive negative test results are obtained.
M.T.S. and other close contacts are currently under quarantine, receiving preventive antibiotics for seven days and monitoring for 14 days since their last exposure to the confirmed case.
Health authorities in Bac Giang are preparing for a possible diphtheria outbreak, reviewing children’s vaccination records, and ensuring timely immunization for those lacking the full DTP vaccine doses.
Diphtheria is categorized as a Group B infectious disease with a high mortality rate, spreading quickly. The fatality rate ranges from 5% to 10% despite treatment.
The Ministry of Health explains that diphtheria bacteria affect the upper respiratory tract, forming a tough pseudomembrane that can lead to organ damage and a high mortality risk. Treatment involves specific antibiotics, antitoxin, and prevention through vaccination.
