The Department of Health in Kon Tum confirmed the detection of yet another diphtheria case in Tan Lap commune of Kon Ray district on July 18, raising the total number of outbreaks throughout the province to five.

  A quarantine area in Kon Tum

At present, 23 patients have tested positive for diphtheria bacteria in Kon Tum province, with the majority of positive cases detected in Dak Ha district, Sa Thay district, Dak To district, Kon Ray district, and Kon Tum city.

In response to the complicated nature of developments relating to the epidemic, the provincial department has requested that local health centres treat infected people in a timely manner. Furthermore, additional urgent measures aimed at preventing the disease from spreading should also be taken, including testing for bacteria and spraying disinfectant.

Moreover, the Kon Tum Provincial Center for Disease Control has been given a total of 100,000 diphtheria vaccine shots by the Central Highlands Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. 

They will be distributed among health centres across various districts and cities with local residents aged between seven and 25 living in infected area set to be prioritised to receive anti-diphtheria vaccinations.