Out of 33 suspected cases, where patients’ throat swabs were sent for medical examinations following symptoms of diphtheria, 11 have been confirmed positive. Of these, 3 patients are from Raichur taluk and two each from Lingasugur, Sindhanur and Deodurg taluks respectively.
Most of the patients are between 2 and 15 years, except one, who is 22. The patients have been undergoing treatment at the Raichur Institute Medical Science. Speaking to The Hindu on Saturday, S.M.K Naseer, District Health Officer, said the patients were responding to medication and recovering.
Denying reports of death of four patients in a private hospital due to the diseases, the officer said unless autopsy and culture test were conducted it could not be confirmed if the patients died of diphtheria.
Meanwhile, the confirmation of 11 diphtheria cases has sent alarm bells ringing in the district.
The authorities have swung into action and are conducting prophylactic activities in 50 houses in localities where patients were residing.
“We have sufficient stock of Td vaccination,” Dr Naseer said, giving tips to general public to prevent the spread of the disease, including not share drinking water or food, covering the nose if someone else is sick and visiting the doctors in case they have any symptoms of the disease.
