The Ministry of Public Health on Thursday evening announced plans to heighten measures to prevent the spread of Diphtheria, an infectious disease that targets the respiratory system, across international borders.
For more information on Diphtheria, contact the Maternal Child Health Department on 226 7338.
The announcement came in the wake of a current outbreak in the San Antonio, Sifontes, Bolivar State of neighbouring Venezuela, where the disease has claimed 17 lives so far.
“Guyana has repeatedly attained over 90% vaccine coverage, however there are areas within the interior locations where coverage is less. A multi-disciplinary team of health professionals will be targeting villages bordering Venezuela. The team will provide vaccinations to all vulnerable children and ensure health officers in the regions are on the alert for any probable case,” a statement issued by the ministry said.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Diphtheria is fatal in 5 to 10% of cases, with a higher mortality rate in young children.
The disease can be cured if treatment is started early enough. The most effective way of preventing Diphtheria, however, is with the DPT vaccine, which protects against Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus as well as with the administration of antibiotics such as erythromycin and penicillin, which are available in Guyana.
“The DPT vaccine is highly effective and safe and it is available in all the public health facilities countrywide,” the ministry noted.
According to the statement, Diphtheria is an upper respiratory illness caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria, which primarily infects the throat and upper airways, and produces a toxin affecting other organs.
It is transmitted by having direct contact with a patient, contaminated objects or by sneezing or coughing; skin lesions can also transmit the infection.
The symptoms of Diphtheria include sore throat, fever; adherent membrane over the nose, tonsils and throat and skin lesions. The diphtheria toxin causes a membrane of dead tissue to build up over the throat and tonsils, making breathing and swallowing difficult.
Further, the diphtheria toxin causes a membrane of dead tissue to build up over the throat and tonsils, making breathing and swallowing difficult. During days one to three of infection, persons are likely to notice whitish membrane in the throat while on days four to six, it is likely to change to a grayish colour.
If left untreated, Diphtheria can result in infection of the lungs, heart failure, kidney damage, paralysis and in some cases, death.
