Diphtheria spreading rapidly in Sindh, 160 cases reported

Karachi: Diphtheria is spreading rapidly in Sindh, according to the Sindh Health Department, 160 cases of the disease have been reported in the province this year.

According to the Secretary General of the Pakistan Pediatric Association, Dr Khalid Shafi, 28 deaths occurred in Sindh due to diphtheria this year which is a very dangerous disease.

Dr Khalid Shafi said that the spread of diphtheria is at a rapid pace. Diphtheria is a disease that spreads faster than the coronavirus, but there are effective vaccines available to cure it.

According to Dr Khalid, diphtheria can be easily prevented by vaccination. Diphtheria was not in Pakistan for 20 to 30 years.

He said that diphtheria has affected KP, Punjab and most of all Sindh. Children must be vaccinated against diphtheria. Six, 10 and 14-week-old children are vaccinated against diphtheria.

Dr Khalid Shafi stated that 99.9 percent of the risk of disease is eliminated by vaccination. Diphtheria is a disease of children which is now affecting adults as well, they are also suffering from this disease in Sindh although their number is less.

He added that if those who have been vaccinated get a booster, their immunity will increase. Diphtheria can be completely controlled, there should not be a single case of diphtheria in our country.

Dr Khalid further said that sore throat, cough, and change in voice are symptoms of diphtheria. The germs produce a poison that affects the heart, kidneys and brain. The cause of death in diphtheria is heart, brain and kidney failure.

He said that diphtheria is spreading due to the negligence of not vaccinating children. For those who did not take a course of immunization for some reason, the government has also worked for this. Now the government has given a chance for children aged from 2-5 years.