Six more confirmed diphtheria cases in Negeri Sembilan

Six more patients, including two children aged eight and 12, have been found positive for diphtheria in Negeri Sembilan.

State Health director Dr Abdul Rahim Abdullah said four of the patients were children of the first diphtheria case, a 41-year-old housewife from Kg Durian Daun, Rembau.

"The woman's 15-year-old son was admitted to the Isolation Ward of Tuanku Jaafar Hospital (HTJ) on Monday, while her three other children, aged eight, 12 and 21, were admitted to the HTJ Isolation Ward yesterday.

"Two more people found positive for diphtheria were staff of Rembau Health Clinic," he told the media at the State Health Department's Hari Raya gathering here today.

He said a 50-year-old woman staff was admitted to Tampin Hospital this morning, while another, a 28-year-old male employee, was in quarantine at home.

Dr Abdul Rahim said all seven patients were in stable condition.

"From our monitoring and examination on other family members of the patients and local residents, they did not show any signs of diphtheria.

"However, we will continue to monitor the situation as the diphtheria virus spreads easily, especially through droplets, cough and sharing of utensils," he added.

He also advised the people to seek treatment immediate treatment if they had symptoms of diphtheria infection such as fever, hoarse voice, sore throat and swelling in the throat.

"Our worries are for children and babies who have not completed their immunisation as they lack the defence to fight the infection," he added.

Dr Abdul Rahim advised parents to ensure their children obtain complete immunisation doses.

The department, he said, would track down children who dropped out of the immunisation programme.

He said diphtheria vaccine is administered at government hospitals and clinics for free.

With the latest case, the total number of diphtheria cases in the country now reached 21 cases, including five deaths. The cases are recorded in Melaka (three cases, one death), Kedah (seven cases, one death), Sabah (four cases, three deaths) and Negeri Sembilan (seven cases).