The Department of Health in Gia Lai province reported the detection of a new diphtheria case on July 12 after a three-year-old child living in Bok Rei village of Dak Smei commune in Dak Doa district was diagnosed with bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria.

Local authorities set up check-points to monitor commuters in the village 

This comes after the outbreak continued to spread throughout the Central Highlands region.

Mai Xuan Hai, director of the Gia Lai Department of Health, said the child had come into direct contact with Bru, 40, who had also tested positive for diphtheria bacteria. At present, Gia Lai province has recorded two diphtheria outbreaks totaling 20 cases.

In response to the rise in cases, urgent preventive measures have been taken in Dak Doa district with all villagers undergoing medical check-ups and being given diphtheria vaccine shots. Local authorities have also moved to set up check-points in an effort to monitor anyone travelling in and out of the village.

Earlier a four-year-old boy who had been diagnosed with malignant diphtheria and subsequently suffered complications from diphtheria passed away in Bong Hiot village in Gia Lai on July 5. Following the boy’s death, more than 1,400 local people were put into isolation at their home with 19 being tested positive for the Corynebacterium bacterial strain.

At present, Gia Lai is the third province located in the Central Highlands region to have reported a diphtheria outbreak, following detection in Dak Nong and Kon Tum.

Indeed, diphtheria has yet to be eradicated nationwide, with a vaccination representing the best possible solution in order to prevent people from suffering from bacterial infection.

With diphtheria being easily transmitted through coughing and sneezing, people have been advised to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, to frequently wash their hands with soap, and to limit their contact with suspected cases.