Kochi: As a diphtheria case has been confirmed in a 12-year old boy who belongs to a migrant workers’ family residing in Vazhakulam near Perumbavoor, the district health authorities have stepped up measures to prevent spread of the disease.
Soon after the disease has been diagnosed, intensive disease prevention measures have been initiated at Vazhakulam and nearby areas. More than 210 houses in the area were visited by health workers of Vazhakulam primary healthcare centre and Malayidamthuruth community health centre to create awareness and to track persons with similar symptoms if any.
According to health authorities it is the lack of awareness and difficulties in communicating in their language which make vaccination a challenge.
All unvaccinated children in migrant workers’ families will be given vaccination. Preventive vaccine has already been given to 52 persons who are in the close contact list of the patient while 25 other persons were administered preventive drugs, officials said.
