Diphtheria cases, deaths increase extraordinarily in Karachi

Islamabad: The cases of diphtheria and the casualties of children caused by it are increasing extraordinarily in Karachi.

Health department officials said that more than 100 children have died of diphtheria in Karachi so far and the disease can be prevented by vaccination.

Officials stated that last year, Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital received 140 cases of diphtheria, out of which 52 children died.

According to the officials, all cases of diphtheria in Karachi are being sent to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital, while more than 12 children are currently being treated at the Hospital.

In this regard, infectious disease experts said that there is no anti-toxin in the treatment medicine of diphtheria in Karachi and Sindh. An anti-toxin worth Rs0.2 to 0.25 million is used for the treatment of a child infected with diphtheria.

According to experts, the only treatment for the prevention of diphtheria is complete vaccination and treatment of the disease by giving antitoxin.