Four weeks or more needed to ascertain if there's a new strain of diphtheria

PETALING JAYA: The results of the Institute of Medical Research's study to find out if there is a new strain of bacteria causing the diphtheria disease will only be known after four weeks, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya.
"The bacteria samples need to be cultured and multiplied in the lab to see its genetic profile to determine if it is the same strain. This process will take around three or four weeks as it is a very insidious bacteria," he explained.
The Health Ministry has stepped up investigations into the surge in diphtheria cases nationwide as 24 cases have been recorded in the country, most recently the death of an 11-month-old boy in Kedah today.
Hilmi said a post-mortem would be conducted on the boy's body to confirm the cause of death, adding that the report should be expected within a week.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating the tripartite collaboration to combat dengue at construction sites between the Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Federal Territories Health Department (JKWPKLP), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).
Thirty three construction sites have agreed to take part in the programme known as Communication for Behavioral Impact (COMBI), which will commence in Kuala Lumpur and progress nationwide.
It aims to control and prevent dengue cases at construction sites and neighbouring residential areas, as these sites are the second highest breeding ground for mosquitos.
In 2015, 54% of construction sites checked by JKWPLP registered positive for mosquito breeding and this year, 52 out of 125 construction sites were identified as breeding grounds for mosquitos.