The risk of community spread of diphtheria is not high, but do not be subjective.

Leukemia cases are sporadic.

Associate Professor, Dr. Do Duy Cuong - Director of the Center for Tropical Diseases (Bach Mai Hospital) said that diphtheria is a dangerous acute infectious disease. Diphtheria is an infectious - toxic disease, transmitted through the respiratory tract and has the potential to cause epidemics, caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The disease is common in children and in subjects who are not immune to diphtheria due to not being fully vaccinated. The bacteria reside in the upper respiratory tract, creating a tough, sticky pseudomembrane that is difficult to separate and produces exotoxins that cause systemic poisoning, with the risk of death due to complications of airway obstruction and myocarditis.

“In fact, the risk of spreading to the community is not high. The current cases detected are sporadic because most children have been vaccinated when they were young. Only children who have not been vaccinated or have not been fully vaccinated according to the vaccination schedule are likely to get the disease,” Associate Professor, Dr. Do Duy Cuong assessed the current diphtheria epidemic.

In 2020, the number of diphtheria cases increased in our country, with 226 cases recorded, mainly in the provinces of Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum , Quang Ngai and Quang Tri) and decreased in 2021 (with 6 cases) and 2022 (with 2 cases).

In 2023, the country recorded 57 cases of diphtheria (with positive PCR test results and culture) in 3 provinces: Ha Giang , Dien Bien and Thai Nguyen. The number of cases was concentrated in the last 5 months of the year (55 cases), of which 7 cases died.

In the first 6 months of 2024, the whole country recorded 5 cases, including 1 death.

Vaccination gaps make disease difficult to eradicate

According to Associate Professor Dr. Do Duy Cuong, the expanded immunization program has brought about many effective results in preventing common epidemics. In remote areas, low vaccination coverage will lead to immune gaps and therefore the disease will still be circulating and difficult to eradicate. Children need to be fully vaccinated on schedule to have community immunity. Disease prevention measures include:

– Wash hands properly with soap or antiseptic solution. The patient's house, room equipment, utensils, toys, and clothing must be disinfected and sterilized.

– Diphtheria vaccination: In the national expanded immunization program, use multivalent vaccine: Diphtheria – whooping cough – tetanus for children. Start vaccination from 2-3 months old, inject 2 times, each time 1ml 1 month apart. One year later, repeat once a year until 5 years old.

– Adults who have not been vaccinated or are not immune need a booster shot.

– For contacts: Test for bacteria and monitor for 7 days. In addition, take preventive medication with Erythromycin or Azithromycin for 7 days.

Source: https://laodong.vn/suc-khoe/nguy-co-lay-lan-cong-dong-cua-benh-bach-hau-khong-lon-nhung-khong-chu-quan-1363970.ldo