Local medical workers disinfect the whole area in an effort to contain diphtheria. — Photo tuoitre.vn

ĐẮK NÔNG — Hundreds of people have been isolated after an outbreak of diphtheria.

Up to 355 people living in Area 2, Village 6, Quảng Hoà Commune, Đắk Glong District in Central Highlands province of Đắk Nông have been quarantined after two cases of diphtheria including one death were reported. 

Hà Văn Hùng, deputy director of the provincial health department, on Monday told Tuổi trẻ (Youth) newspaper that the lockdown would be applied for seven days to contain the disease, which was just confirmed three days ago. 

“We have disinfected the whole area and administered vaccines for some 550 residents to ensure the disease will be contained,” said Hùng. 

Earlier on June 19, 9-year-old Sùng Thị Hoa was sent to Đắk Nông General Hospital with symptoms of a cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. 

The patient was later transferred to HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases as her condition worsened. She died on June 20 for malignant diphtheria leading to heart complications. 

According to Đắk Nông Province Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the second patient is 9-year-old Ma Văn Thành, Hoa’s neighbour. Thành is now in intensive care. 

Hùng said the diphtheria outbreak was the first reported in Quảng Hòa District since 2004 and the second one in Đắk Nông Province in 2020.

On June 14, four cases of diphtheria were found in Đắk Sôr Commune, Krông Nô District. This outbreak was contained. — VNS