Diphtheria preys on Malabar

Kozhikode: There is no let-up in the diphtheria cases in Malabar with the total number  rising  to 153 in the  districts of Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur. Though health officials are trying hard  to contain the spread, the air-borne disease is reported  from new areas.   A  special diphtheria ward was started at Kozhikode government medical college, a first in its history.

As on Saturday, there were  81 cases  in Malappuram, 70 in Kozhikode and two  in Kannur. “Though a large number of people are taking vaccination, the disease is spreading. To get the benefit of vaccination, all the three dosages should be taken, i.e., second dosage within one month of administering the first dosage and the third within six months. But within that period, the disease might have spread,” said Kozhikode district medical officer (DMO) Dr R.L. Saritha.

The officials provide  vaccination to 100 primary contacts of the affected person, including those in the house. “The situation could have been contained  had all taken the vaccination long ago. This was an unprecedented situation as no one expected diphtheria to surge like this,” says Malappuram DMO Umarul Farooq. Health officials reiterate that there is no shortage of Td vaccine as was reported in a section of media.

“Td vaccine is not in the scheduled list of immunization.    We have enough stock to deal with the situation,” said Kozhikode Reproductive Child health (RCH) officer, Dr Sarala Nair. But the general public who visit health centres to take vaccination  complain that there is shortage. “Our priority is to provide vaccine in the affected areas.  The shortage is for general public only,” said a health official. On Sunday,  four lakh dosages  of Td vaccine  reached Malappuram.