On November 26, speaking with reporters, Mr. Ly Van Chuyen - Director of Bao Lam District Medical Center - said that the source of the diphtheria infection in the area has not yet been determined.
"In fact, to say that the source of diphtheria is not a pathogen hidden deep in the human body, when the patient is weak, the disease will develop. Currently, units are still implementing measures to spray disinfectants and give close contacts preventive medicine," said Mr. Chuyen.
Previously, on November 21, Cao Bang province recorded the death of Giang Mi H (born in 2013, residing in Khau Noong hamlet, Thach Lam commune, Bao Lam district) due to diphtheria.
As of November 25, information from the Cao Bang Provincial Center for Disease Control stated that Khau Noong hamlet is located about 7km from the commune center, quite isolated and accessible on foot, so the disease is not as easily spread as in crowded areas. However, health authorities cannot be complacent, and disease prevention measures are being stepped up.
Also on November 25, a working delegation from the Ministry of Health, including the Department of Preventive Medicine, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and the National Children's Hospital, went to Bao Lam district to direct disease prevention and control work in the area.
To proactively prevent and control diphtheria and prevent the disease from spreading widely, the working group of the Ministry of Health requested the Cao Bang Provincial Department of Health to direct units and localities to strengthen the screening of cases in close contact with the recently deceased case.
Monitor and promptly detect suspected cases in areas with infected patients and in the community; Continue to implement environmental treatment measures using chemicals; investigate and provide prophylactic antibiotic treatment for all close contacts according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health.
The health system of Cao Bang province needs to ensure the work of admission, emergency care, triage, and treatment of patients; establish separate areas for examination, isolation, treatment, and emergency care of patients if cases appear, minimizing cases of severe illness and death.
Strictly implement infection control and cross-infection prevention at medical examination and treatment facilities, and limit the transfer of patients to higher-level hospitals when not necessary.
On the other hand, antibiotic prophylaxis in Bao Lam district still has many limitations when the full vaccination rate in 2024 in the district only reached 38%, Thach Lam commune reached 37.5%; DPT vaccination for 18-month-old children reached 43.6% due to lack of vaccine supply.
