The fear of diphtheria gripped Malappuram with 10 cases reported from different parts within a month. Children with any kind of swelling or infection in their neck are being subjected to detailed check as a near-panic situation prevailed in the district.
‘‘Ten cases of deadly diphtheria in a season is no ordinary thing. It is serious,’’ said District Medical Officer V. Ummer Farook. ‘‘We can’t take anything for granted now.’’
Two of the 10 children died last week. The others are undergoing treatment. The authorities are fighting it out to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. Still they fear further infections at any moment as thousands of children in the district have not been immunised. Several groups of health workers, including one of the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), visited different parts of the district, especially in the wake of the two recent diphtheria deaths. The latest death of a 14-year-old boy from Periyambalam shocked the district, especially after a touching Facebook revelation by Dr. Muhammed Niyas, who saw him die at Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode.
‘‘Those campaigning against immunisation should be declared anti-socials,’’ said Dinesh Pookayil, lawyer and leader of the Yuva Kala Sahithi at Tirur.
Meanwhile, intensive vaccination drive continued in the district on Thursday. With 2,159 children covered on Thursday, the authorities could reach out to 8,176 children with TD vaccine in the last few days. ‘‘It’s a good move. We are hopeful of covering more,’’ said Deputy District Medical Officer R. Renuka. Fifty vials of anti-diphtheria serum reached the district on Thursday, bringing solace to the authorities. Shortage of serum had raised concerns in the Health Department.
