This season’s first death due to diphtheria in Delhi has caused an alarm, with doctors assessing their preparedness.
About:
Cause: Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheria, a bacterium.
Health impact: One type of diphtheria affects the throat and sometimes the tonsils. Another type causes ulcers on the skin; these are more common in the tropics (places where all 12 months have mean temperatures of at least 18 °C).
Vulnerable groups: Diphtheria particularly affects children aged 1 to 5 years. In temperate climates diphtheria tends to occur during the colder months.
Vaccine: The diphtheria vaccine is among the oldest vaccines in India’s Universal Immunisation Programme.
Indian scenario: Cases in the country have been going up over the last few years after showing a remarkable reduction in 2015. In 2015, as per WHO data, India reported 2,365 cases. However, in 2016, 2017 and 2018, the numbers rose successively to 3,380, 5,293 and 8,788.
Dear Student,
You have still not entered your mailing address. Please enter the address where all the study materials will be sent to you. (If applicable).
