3 deaths due to diphtheria, Ministry of Health requires retraining on diagnosis and treatment guidelines

The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health) has just sent a document to the hospitals under the Ministry of Health; the Department of Health of provinces and centrally-run cities; and the Health Departments of ministries and branches on strengthening the diagnosis and treatment of diphtheria.

The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment said that up to now, in Ha Giang and Dien Bien provinces, the diphtheria epidemic situation is complicated and 3 deaths have been recorded.

In the face of the above situation, in order to enhance early detection of diphtheria cases, timely isolation and treatment and minimize the number of deaths, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management requests units to urgently train and review the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of diphtheria issued with Decision No. 2957/QD-BYT of the Ministry of Health dated July 10, 2020 for all medical staff participating in medical examination and treatment to detect suspected cases early for isolation and early treatment - including private medical facilities in the area.

Along with that, medical units need to review procedures, equipment, drugs, and supplies according to instructions to organize screening, isolation, admission, and treatment of diphtheria patients according to regulations, minimizing the mortality rate; Ensuring infection prevention in medical examination and treatment facilities.

When detecting clinical cases suspected of diphtheria, medical facilities need to prioritize antibiotic selection according to guidelines for diphtheria diagnosis and treatment; immediately take samples for early bacterial staining and testing to guide treatment.

The Ministry of Health requires medical facilities to strengthen monitoring, early detection of complications for timely treatment and referral when necessary; Professional consultation to seek opinions from higher levels for difficult and severe cases, consultation before referral; Deploying people in contact to take prophylactic antibiotics according to instructions.

Medical units need to increase communication in hospitals so that patients and their families know the signs of the disease so they can go for early examination and understand disease prevention measures.

The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management also requires units to seriously implement reporting of cases according to regulations of the Minister of Health.

Previously, on September 11-12, a working delegation of the Ministry of Health led by Dr. Vuong Anh Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, went to Pa It village, Huoi Mi commune, Muong Cha district, Dien Bien province to directly visit schools and households with people with diphtheria; and worked with Dien Bien Provincial General Hospital.

From May 1 to September 10, 2023, Dien Bien province recorded 6 cases of diphtheria with 3 outbreaks.

After the working session, the working delegation of the Ministry of Health requested the Steering Committee for Disease Prevention and Control of Dien Bien province to continue to direct the review and update of the province's diphtheria prevention and control plan; promote communication activities on diphtheria; strengthen monitoring and early detection of suspected cases of diphtheria in the community, and take samples for timely testing...

At the same time, organize a review and count of subjects who have not been vaccinated or have not been fully vaccinated against diphtheria in all communes and wards in the area; carry out supplementary and catch-up vaccinations as soon as vaccines are available, paying attention to remote areas, areas where ethnic minorities live, and areas with difficult travel.

The Ministry of Health also requested the Provincial Steering Committee for Disease Prevention and Control to assess the epidemic situation to propose the need for diphtheria antitoxin serum for the years 2023 - 2025 to the Ministry of Health.

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health), diphtheria is an acute infectious and toxic disease caused by diphtheria bacteria; the disease is common in young children, but can also occur in adults if they do not have immunity.

The disease is easily transmitted through the respiratory tract or through direct contact with secretions from the nasal and throat mucosa of patients or healthy carriers when coughing or sneezing, especially in crowded residential areas or places with poor hygiene conditions.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, often with white pseudomembranes in the tonsils, pharynx, larynx, nose, and can appear on the skin, other mucous membranes such as the conjunctiva or genitals. Severe cases can cause complications and death.

Previously, the disease was quite common in most localities across the country. Since the diphtheria vaccine was included in the expanded immunization program, the disease has been controlled and only a few sporadic cases have been recorded due to lack of vaccination, often occurring in remote areas where vaccination rates are low.

Currently, diphtheria has not been eliminated in our country. Therefore, people can still get the disease if they have not been vaccinated and come into contact with the pathogen.

To proactively prevent and control diphtheria, the Department of Preventive Medicine recommends that people should take their children to get vaccinated against diphtheria according to the full and correct vaccination schedule; wash hands regularly with soap; cover mouth when coughing or sneezing; maintain daily personal hygiene, nose and throat; limit contact with people who are sick or suspected of being sick; ensure that houses, kindergartens and classrooms are airy, clean and have enough light.

When there are signs of illness or suspected illness, the patient must be isolated and taken to a medical facility for timely examination and treatment. People in the epidemic area must strictly comply with taking preventive medicine and getting vaccinated as prescribed and required by the health authorities.

Source