Nine new diphtheria cases were reported in three states, bringing the total cases to 24 with five fatalities, Bernama reports.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah told the news agency that six cases were reported in Negeri Sembilan, two were in Penang and one in Kedah, involving patients aged between eight and 50.
“Four of the six cases in Negeri Sembilan were the children of the woman in the case from Rembau and two more are personnel of the Rembau Health Clinic who were the contacts of the first case,” Noor HIsham was quoted as saying.
The cases in Kedah and Penang, according to Noor Hisham, were isolated cases.
“All the cases are reported to be in stable conditions, and have been isolated and given antibiotic treatments,” he added.
