Suspected diphtheria death in Ferozepur; PGI report awaited

Given this year’s first case of suspected diphtheria, both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the state’s health department have launched a comprehensive survey in Ferozepur. Dr Rajwinder Kaur, Ferozepur’s civil surgeon, confirmed the situation, saying, “The child, a migrant from Bihar, fell ill on October 6 with a fever. By October 8, she experienced shortness of breath and throat swelling, leading to her referral to Faridkot Medical College, where she was diagnosed with diphtheria and later succumbed. We immediately began a detailed survey to assess immunisation and health status in the area, given that diphtheria is highly communicable.”

This incident has prompted WHO teams to begin their survey, with health teams focusing on Basti Aawa and Basti Borianwali, which have a combined population of about 6,000. Dr Meenakshi Dhingra, nodal officer for the health camp, added, “The child’s family, daily wage workers with two other children, had been frequently moving between the two colonies. All close contacts of the child have now been immunised, regardless of their age.”

Diphtheria vaccination in children typically includes seven doses from birth to 16 years, but vaccination rates are low, particularly in schools where parents often refuse due to fears of side effects, including fever and pain. “We are now conducting thorough immunisation drives in the area,” said Dr Dhingra. “So far, we have identified no other cases apart from one more child.”

Diphtheria, caused by Corynebacterium, is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the respiratory system and can spread throughout the body. Symptoms include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and shortness of breath. While cases are now rare in India, there were 8,788 reported cases in 2018.