The National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued an advisory to prevent the spread of diphtheria, a contagious disease caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium.
With diphtheria cases and related deaths rising in various parts of the country, the NIH has highlighted the increased transmission risks during the dry and cool season, urging healthcare officials to take immediate preventive actions.
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The advisory outlines several key steps: improving vaccine coverage, strengthening surveillance for early case detection, and boosting public awareness to contain the disease’s spread. It also emphasises the need for timely case reporting and effective treatment protocols, which include the use of diphtheria antitoxin and specific antibiotics.
Diphtheria typically affects the throat and sometimes the tonsils, though it can also manifest in the mucous membranes and skin. It is classified by site of infection, including nasal, pharyngeal, tonsillar, laryngeal, cutaneous, ocular, and genital types. This classification helps in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
According to the NIH, while diphtheria can affect individuals of all ages, unvaccinated children under five years old face the highest risk, with fatality rates ranging from 5 to 17 percent among the unvaccinated. The NIH underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis—both clinical and laboratory-based—and thorough case management to reduce fatalities.
