Brian Jeffrey
An unfortunate incident occurred in Nghe An province where an 18-year-old female student from Ky Son district lost her life to diphtheria. Additionally, in Bac Giang, health authorities confirmed a diphtheria case involving an 18-year-old individual named M.T.B., originally from Nghe An, residing temporarily in Hop Thinh commune, Hiep Hoa district. This person had close contact with the deceased diphtheria case in Nghe An.
The Department of Preventive Medicine, under the Ministry of Health, on July 8, issued a directive to the Health Departments of Nghe An and Bac Giang provinces, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to strengthen diphtheria prevention and control.
Local authorities have been instructed by the Ministry of Health to conduct a swift assessment, administer additional vaccinations, and develop protocols for handling suspected diphtheria cases subsequent to the female student’s demise.
To contain the spread of diphtheria, the Department of Preventive Medicine outlined specific measures for health directors in Nghe An and Bac Giang to follow:
1. Enhance surveillance to promptly detect potential diphtheria cases, conduct immediate sample testing, and administer preventive antibiotics to all close contacts.
2. Ensure appropriate patient admission, emergency care, triage, and treatment, establish designated examination and isolation facilities, and implement infection control practices to reduce fatalities and prevent cross-infection.
3. Compile a list of unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals against diphtheria and provide additional vaccinations promptly, particularly in remote, rural, and ethnic minority areas.
4. Intensify public awareness campaigns to promote proactive disease prevention, monitor the health of students in educational institutions, and promptly isolate and treat suspected cases.
5. Request diphtheria antitoxin serum from the Ministry of Health’s Department of Planning and Finance for proper distribution and utilization in accordance with guidelines.
