Malappuram: The toll due to diphtheria in Malappuram rose to two in a week with the death of a school student at Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, on Thursday . Muhmmed Afshaq, 14, student of the AMM high school at Pulikkal near Kondotty, was admitted to the MCH on Wednesday night with severe breathing difficulties. He underwent an emergency surgery that could not save his life. The body was later taken by his family to his native place Naduvattom, near Beypore in Kozhikode.
The boy was living in a rented house with his parents in Periyambalam in Cherukavu panchayat in the district for the past few years. He was not immunised, it is said. “As the native place of the boy and family is in Kozhikode, his vaccination history is not available with the Malappuram district health department,” said Dr. V. Ummer Farook, District Medical Officer, Malappuram.
As the family was shifting from place to place over the last several years, the Kozhikode district health authorities have also no idea whether he was immunised or not, said Dr. R. L Saritha, DMO, Kozhikode. “According to the medical report from the MCH, the boy had diphtheria,” said Dr. R. Renuka, deputy DMO in charge of immunisation.
The district health authorities have swung into action after the second diphtheria death in the district. An emergency health check-up camp was held for 225 students of the AMM high school. Two students with low fever have been referred to Kozhikode MHC. Antibiotics were given to all 45 classmates and teachers of the student. District collector S. Venkatesapathy has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation on Saturday.
