Diphtheria is spreading rapidly across Sindh, with the Sindh Health Department reporting 160 cases this year. Alarmingly, there have been 28 fatalities attributed to the disease, highlighting its dangerous nature.
The Secretary General of Pakistan Pediatrics Association, Dr. Khalid Shafi, stated that diphtheria spreads at a rate faster than the coronavirus. Despite this, effective vaccines are available that can prevent the disease.
“Diphtheria can easily be controlled with vaccination,” Dr. Shafi explained, noting that the disease has not been seen in Pakistan for the past 20 to 30 years.
He emphasized the importance of vaccinating children at six, ten, and fourteen weeks of age to prevent the disease.
Dr. Shafi indicated that vaccinations could reduce the risk of contracting diphtheria by 99.9%. While primarily a childhood illness, there is a growing concern as adults are also beginning to contract the disease, albeit in smaller numbers.
To bolster immunity, Dr. Shafi recommended that individuals who have already been vaccinated receive a booster shot. He stressed the need for complete control over the disease, asserting that there should not be a single case in the country.
Symptoms of diphtheria include a sore throat, cough, changes in voice, and a thick gray coating in the throat. The bacteria produce a toxin that can severely impact the heart, kidneys, and brain, with fatalities often resulting from organ failure.
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Dr. Shafi attributed the current outbreak to a lack of vaccination among children. He announced that the government is offering another opportunity for children aged 2 to 5 years to receive vaccinations, aiming to curb the spread of this dangerous disease.
