No diphtheria in Putrajaya, says Health DG

The Health Ministry today refuted a claim circulated over social media that there has been a case of diphtheria in Putrajaya.

Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said no cases of diphtheria had been reported in Putrajaya so far despite the current outbreak of the disease in some states.

"Rumour has it that we have our first case of diphtheria in Putrajaya. To date, no cases have been confirmed," he said in his Facebook post today.

According to the ministry, the total number of diphtheria cases nationwide stood at 15, five of which had been fatal.

Seven cases with one death were reported in Kedah; three with one death in Melaka; four with three deaths in Sabah and one case in Negri Sembilan.

The country recorded its first adult diphtheria case in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, on July 17.

The 41-year-old housewife came down with fever last Monday and complained of swollen tonsils, hoarseness and difficulty swallowing.