Risk of diphtheria epidemic from Laos to Vietnam

Diphtheria is occurring in 6/17 provinces and cities of Laos with 11 deaths. The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is closely monitoring to deploy appropriate prevention measures.

In the face of the diphtheria epidemic currently occurring in 6/17 provinces and cities of Laos with 11 deaths, the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) said that the Vietnamese Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the diphtheria epidemic situation in Laos and regularly exchanging information with the neighboring country to deploy appropriate prevention measures.

Vaccination is still the most effective measure to prevent diphtheria.

This disease is easily transmitted through the respiratory tract while Vietnam and Laos share a long border. The Ministry of Health continues to recommend that families take their children of vaccination age to local health stations and medical facilities to receive timely and sufficient vaccinations to prevent dangerous epidemics that often occur in children.

Diphtheria is an acute infectious and toxic disease caused by diphtheria bacteria; the disease is common in children and can also occur in adults if they are not immune. The disease is easily transmitted through the respiratory tract or through direct contact with secretions from the nasal mucosa of patients or healthy people carrying the virus when coughing or sneezing, especially in crowded residential areas or places with poor hygiene conditions.

According to Tienphong.vn