THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A confirmed case of diphtheria has been reported in the state capital raising serious concerns for the health authorities.
A 21-year-old college student hailing from Maayam has been reported with diphtheria. The girl who was staying in a local hostel is under treatment at the medical college hospital.
Health authorities have initiated steps to prevent further spread of the disease. "We have stepped up surveillance on inmates of the hostel for suspected symptoms. We have administrated prophylaxis drugs and vaccination as precautionary measure. The girl who fell sick is fully immunized but the strength of the vaccine reduces after 10 years," said the official.
The official said that the authorities had no clue how the girl contracted diphtheria.
The patient fell sick with fever, cough and sore throat on January 17 and availed treatment at Medical College casualty on January 21. Following which a swab test was done, which confirmed the diagnosis of diphtheria. "We have brought vaccines from Calicut and more will be procured soon," said the official.
