Suspected diphtheria death in Ferozepur; PGI report awaited

A suspected case of diphtheria has claimed the life of a three-year-old girl in Basti Aawa, Ferozepur, marking the first such case in Punjab this year. According to the Punjab health department, the child had not been immunised against diphtheria. Though early symptoms and tests suggest the bacterial infection, a confirmation from PGI is awaited.

Another child with similar symptoms is also under observation, with her test results pending. However, her condition is reported to be stable, said health department officials.

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.”