CASES REPORTED IN NEGRI SEMBILAN
SIX new diphtheria cases have been recorded, bringing the total number of cases to seven in Negri Sembilan.
The latest victims are four siblings aged 8, 12, 15 and 21. The two adults are Health Department staff from Rembau Health Clinic.
State Health director Dr Abdul Rahim Abdullah said the siblings were children of the first adult diphtheria patient, a 41-year-old housewife from Rembau, who has been isolated for treatment at Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital (TJH) since July 16.
“Four of the woman’s eight children tested positive for diphtheria. They have been isolated at the same ward with the mother at TJH since Monday,” said Dr Rahim. “All are in stable condition.”
He said the woman’s four children were fully vaccinated.
“We are investigating how they contracted the virus despite completing the vaccination. The fact that they had been vaccinated helped their bodies respond to the treatment,” he said, adding that isolated patients would be quarantined for 10 to 14 days.
He said the two adults who tested positive for diphtheria had contact with the first victim when she sought treatment at the clinic.
“One of the staff members, 50, is warded and isolated at Tampin Hospital while the other, 28, is under house quarantine.
“Both are in stable condition,” said Dr Rahim at the state Health Department Aidilfitri open house in Rasah yesterday.
Present was state Health and Education Committee chairman Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli.
NEGRI SEMBILAN: Four siblings and two adults the latest cases
Dr Rahim urged those who showed diphtheria symptoms to seek treatment in clinics as soon as possible.
In Kuala Lumpur, deputy directorgeneral of Health Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman urged children who had yet to receive complete vaccination to do so immediately.
“Children have lower immune defence, so an infection from diphtheria can be deadly,” he said, adding that all death cases from diptheria in the country were children.