The District Medical and Health Office (DMHO) authorities of Hyderabad have embarked on vaccination drive to annul spread of diphtheria among children in Hyderabad city. The healthcare officials have already identified 23 localities in Hyderabad where the children are vulnerable for the spread of diphtheria. “We have prepared a list of 23 localities in Hyderabad and expecting to vaccinate a target of 11,000 children in the next few days,” said a senior doctor at DMHO Hyderabad.

During the past few days the officials have registered more than 550 cases of diphtheria across the state of Telangana and this menace is observed more in Hyderabad and surrounding districts.

Explaining about spread of the disease, the senior doctor said, Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Signs and symptoms of this disease begin with sore throat and fever. In severe cases a grey or white patch develops in the throat. This can block the airway and create a barking cough. It may also lead to neck swelling due to large lymph nodes. If not detected early, this disease will also lead to complications such as myocarditis, inflammation of nerves, kidney problems, and bleeding problems due to low blood platelets.

Diphtheria is usually spread between people by direct contact or through the air. It may also be spread by contaminated objects. Some people carry the bacteria without having symptoms, but can still spread the disease to others.

A vaccine, known as diphtheria toxoid, is effective for prevention and available in a number of formulations. Three or four doses, given along with tetanus toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine, are recommended during childhood. “Usually, the diphtheria and tetanus shots are given to children together, but in government hospitals the diphtheria shots are administered separately. Antibiotics like penicillin can also be administered to patients who come early. Once vaccinated with diphtheria, the serum helps in neutralizing the free circulating toxins in the body. Therefore it is very important for all children to get vaccinated,” informed the doctor.

However, the government hospitals across the state are having severe shortage of Diphtheria vaccine shots. Realising this, the government has directed the health department to immediately procure sufficient stocks of diphtheria vaccine from the Institute of Virology in Hyderabad.