Three-year-old from Selangor contracts diphtheria: MOH

KUALA LUMPUR: A diphtheria case involving a three year-old has been reported by the Selangor State Health Department, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pix) in a statement today said the child had not been immunised against diphtheria, as the family practiced homeopathy treatment.

"This child started experiencing fever, cough and vomiting since Aug 13. The patient was taken to the Sungai Buloh Hospital on Thursday (Aug 18) due to shortness of breath, and was then admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment and close supervision.

"The culture of the patient's throat swab tested positive for the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheria. The patient received antitoxin treatment and is currently on antibiotics," he said.

He said that as of now, all the 14 children who were believed to be in close contact with the child were in good health, including three who lived in the same house, and another 11 at the nursery, who were however still being monitored.

Noor Hisham said there were now 27 confirmed number of diphteria cases in Malaysia, including five related deaths. — Bernama