DOH: Diphtheria Also Emerged In Parts Of Philippines
DOH – The Department of Health recently announced that diphtheria and other infectious diseases have emerged in parts of the Philippines.
According to CNN, the health department said that cases of diphtheria, an infection affecting the nose and throat, were reported in regions, including the Cordillera Administrative Region in the last few months.
This was reported by Health medical specialist Anthony Calibo, who also said that there is an issue of the availability of anti-toxin for the bacterial infection since that is also a vital management for infected patients.
Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria. This eventually creates a pseudomembrane, a thick covering, at the back of the infected person’s throats, which results in difficulty in breathing.
As per the report, the recent data from the department showed a low incidence of the disease. In 2018, there were a sum of 55 cases. which included 13 confirmed deaths.
The World Health Organization further said that vaccination still remains the most successful and effective prevention to the disease. Parents are urged to have their kids undergo vaccination to counter the disease.
Low immunization is said to be the factor for the emergence of infectious diseases like polio, says the Epidermology Bureau of DOH, who also said that immunization programs are recently understaffed
“Clearly, the statistics has been really alarming. And I think it’s more of really how a good complement of human resources will be able to muster that momentum from top down. Because right now, the immunization program is really understaffed,”
“The immunization unit is of prime importance. It looks into really effective monitoring systems, and really providing timely technical assistance to local government units that may be at risk as well,”
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