DG Health: Death of a 25-month-old boy who died from diphtheria | Malaysia

JOHOR BARU, FEBRUARY 23 – A 25-month-old boy died two days ago here, probably because of a diphtheria infection, said the director general of health, Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He added that the child had never been vaccinated since birth and that he had started developing fever, cough and swollen tonsils on February 16th.

He added that the boy had been taken to the emergency of a hospital on February 18 in a deplorable state and had been admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit for respiratory badistance and that he was in a state of emergency. he had received an injection of antitoxin.

"Unfortunately, the child could not be saved and on February 21 he succumbed to severe diphtheria with multiorgan failure," he said in a statement.

He added that a throat swab had revealed the presence of the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae and that the Ministry of Health (MOH) was waiting for laboratory results to determine the presence of diphtheria toxin.

Dr. Noor Hisham said that diphtheria is caused by a Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterial infection that affects the lining of the throat and swells the tonsils. This could lead to bacteremic complications (bloodstream infections) and endocarditis (heart infection) and organ failure, which could be fatal.

"The Ministry of Health has taken measures to limit the spread of infection (diphtheria), including actively conducting inspections in the residential area where the case was reported, by organizing a briefing on immunization and education. for health, "he said.

Dr. Noor Hisham said that since January this year to date, there has been only one confirmed case of diphtheria in Malaysia.

He added that last year, 18 cases with five deaths involving children under ten had been reported in the country and that in four of the five deaths, the victims had not been vaccinated.

Dr. Noor Hisham advised the population to always be aware of infectious diseases such as diphtheria, measles, mumps and pertussis, which could be prevented by vaccination.

"Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect your children from infection, and failure will not only expose them to infections, but will be harmful to others," he said.

He called on parents who had not yet vaccinated their children to make themselves known and to ensure that they were vaccinated according to the schedule set by the Ministry of Health. – Bernama