Pandacan residents vaccinated after death due to suspected diphtheria

The Manila Health Office on Wednesday vaccinated both children and adults in Pandacan, Manila against diphtheria after a 10-year-old was suspected to have died of the infection.

A swab sample was taken from the child and sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) to be tested, according to a report by Ian Cruz on QRT on Wednesday.

Those who came in contact with the patient were also vaccinated, including the child's classmates and teachers, while their classroom was disinfected by the Manila Health Department.

Some parents also sent their children to school with face masks.

Diphtheria, a serious and infectious bacterial infection, can be countered as long as one completes the vaccines required, according to the Department of Health.

According to the World Health Organization, the primary symptoms are sore throat and a low fever.

If the diphtheria toxin is severe, there may be a buildup of dead tissues in the throat and tonsils, causing difficulties in breathing and swallowing.

The number of suspected cases of diphtheria reached 167 in the period from January to September 7 with 40 deaths, according to DOH data.

The number of confirmed cases in the same period was 11, with five deaths. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News