A further eight children, aged between one and 12, have tested positive for diphtheria bacteria, according to a statement made by the Department of Health in the central province of Quang Tri.

A child is sampled for diphtheria testing. 

All of the patients are residents of Song Ngan village in Linh Thuong commune of Gio Linh district.

Do Van Hung, director of the provincial health department, stated on August 10 that local medical workers had moved to disinfect diphtheria-affected households whilst continuing to trace those who came into close contact with positive cases. Indeed, once they are tracked down these individuals will also be sampled for diphtheria testing.

Furthermore, in a move to protect the local community, the department also provided children in the area with diphtheria vaccine shots.

This comes after a nine-year-old schoolgirl in Song Ngan village tested positive for the bacterium strain Corynebacterium in July, becoming central Vietnam’s first diphtheria case in the process. Following this, five other cases were detected a month later, although they were all successfully discharged from hospital.

Diphtheria is an infection caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheria bacterium that can spread through the air or through direct contact. Symptoms include fever, a sore throat, difficulty when swallowing, and the emergence of white patches in the throat. Some of the complications include myocarditis, kidney problems, respiratory failure, inflammation of nerves, coma, and death.

With diphtheria yet to be eradicated nationwide, a vaccination represents the best possible solution in order to prevent any individuals suffering from the bacterial infection.

Due to diphtheria being easily transmitted through coughing and sneezing, citizens have been advised to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, frequently wash their hands with soap, whilst also limiting contact with any suspect cases.