Diphtheria returns to Vietnam’s Ha Giang Province after 20 years, killing one

Ha Giang Province in northern Vietnam has recently recorded one death of diphtheria and more than 30 suspected cases, after nearly 20 years of no known infections, local health authorities reported. D. was taken to the Meo Vac District General Hospital 10 days earlier with symptoms of diphtheria, and was transferred to the Ha Giang Province General Hospital one day before his death, doctors said. This is the first case of diphtheria that has been recorded over the past nearly 20 years in the province, according to local health authorities. Immediately after D. tested positive for diphtheria with unknown cause, Meo Vac District General Hospital conducted tests and detected more than 30 cases – all adults and older children –suspected of having diphtheria. In addition, mask wearing, disinfection, and keeping hygiene are also among measures to prevent diphtheria transmission, he added.