The Health Ministry has recorded 24 diphtheria-related deaths in the country so far.
In a report by the New Straits Times’ June Moh, deputy director-general of Health Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman was quoted as saying that this year had the most number of cases, followed by the year 2012, with 11 cases.
The sudden increase in suspected diphtheria cases is due to the awareness of the disease. As of late, every inflammation and tonsillitis case is a suspected diphtheria case,” he reportedly said.
The public, he added, should not believed rumours that the recent spike in cases were due to Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI).
“The patients were neither vaccinated nor received complete vaccination. This had nothing to do with AEFI. It is crucial to vaccinate your child,” he added.
On the death of an 11-month-old boy in Kedah from what was reported to be diphtheria, Dr Lokman said authorities are still waiting for post-mortem results as there has been no evidence to show that the disease had claimed the child’s life.
“According to his medical report, he had recovered from diphtheria. He was treated and administered with anti-toxins after being admitted to hospital,” he was quoted as saying.
