KUALA
LUMPUR: Malaysia has recorded its first adult diphtheria case in Rembau, Negeri
Sembilan. The victim is a 41-year-old housewife who came down with fever last
Monday and complained of swollen tonsils, hoarseness and difficulty in
swallowing.
Health
director general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the patient received
treatment at the Rembau Health Clinic on July 13. "She was suspected of
having contracted diphtheria, and was then referred to the Tuanku Jaafar
Hospital, where she was warded for isolation and treatment," he said.
Dr Noor
Hisham said she was diagnosed with the disease on July 16. However, her
condition is reported to be stable." He said that the case is considered
to be an isolated one.
Those who
had been in contact with the patient, such as family members and health
personnel have already received appropriate treatment.
Meanwhile,
Dr Noor Hisham said an eight-year old boy was admitted to the Universiti Sains
Malaysia Hospital for suspected diphtheria.
“The
patient had suffered from fever and sore throat since July 13. His face and
neck were also swollen. We have yet to receive the lab reports, but currently
the patient is reported to be stable and has already been given anti-toxin
treatment,” he said.
The
latest development brings the total number of diphtheria cases nationwide to
15, five of which were fatal. Seven cases were reported at Kedah with one
death; three in Malacca with one death, four in Sabah with three deaths; and
one in Negri Sembilan.
On
diphtheria cases among adults, Dr Noor Hisham said the Corynebacterium
diphtheria bacteria could infect both adult and children’s throats. “When an
individual’s health status is not optimal, there is a possibility that the
bacteria canmultiply and trigger symptoms.
“The
disease could be spread through respiratory droplets and may pose a risk to others,
mainly children who are not vaccinated or with incomplete vaccination as their
immune system isn’t strong.
“I
strongly urge parents to ensure children below the age of seven to have
completed the five doses of DTaP vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis)
to provide them with optimum protection against the infections.
“Proactive
measures would increase the child’s as well as adults' immune system, thus
curbing the spread of diphtheria,” he said.
Beatrice
Nita Jay
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