Despite Diptheria being contagious, all the children were put in the same hospital room, next to each other
Cases of Diphtheria in the city is on the rise. A total of 300 cases of Diphtheria have been reported in Delhi this year. Of these, 14 out of the 85 admitted died at the North Delhi Municipal Corporation-run Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Diseases Hospital.
The spike in cases started in 2017, which was carried on to this year, with a further rise being reported.
Most of these patients were admitted between September 6 and 19. Doctors say that Diphtheria is common this season and most of the children getting affected are those who never got vaccinated.
"The infection is transmitted via close contact with infectious material from respiratory secretions (direct or via airborne droplet from coughing or sneezing) or from skin lesions or clothes of the infected person or by touching contaminated objects such as toys."
"Humans are the only known reservoir for C diphtheriae. Immunity, either via natural infection or vaccine-induced does not prevent carriage," said Dr KK Aggarwal, President, Health Care Foundation of India.
Experts say that all those in close contact with the patients, including the health care workers, should be administered with Diphtheria vaccine, if vaccination status is not clear, and that the patient should be kept in isolation.
However, it has been alleged that the kids were all put in rooms in bulk, next to each other.
"Diphtheria is a serious disease, which can cause fatalities if the patient has not been vaccinated. It is very important to provide three DPT injections to kids starting at six-months. If not treated, it can also affect kidneys and other organs," said Dr Anupam Sibal, Senior Paediatrician, Apollo Hospital.
The deadly disease
Diphtheria is a serious disease, which can cause fatalities if the patient has not been vaccinated. If not treated, it can also affect kidneys and other organs
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