Thanh Hoa controls and suppresses diphtheria epidemic in Muong Lat district

That is the case of female patient Ph.LM, born in 2007, in San Cha village, Dao San commune, Phong Tho district, Lai Chau province; permanent residence in Doan Ket sub-region, Muong Lat town, Muong Lat district, Thanh Hoa province.

The patient had symptoms of sore throat, after 3 days of home treatment with no improvement, on August 4, the patient went to a private clinic and was advised to go to Muong Lat District General Hospital on the same day with symptoms of mild fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, red and congested throat mucosa, swollen and red tonsils on both sides, with many white pseudomembranes attached to the surface of the tonsils.

The patient was diagnosed with suspected diphtheria and transferred to the Department of Tropical Diseases, Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital on the same day.

Thanh Hoa General Hospital examined the patient and recorded the following symptoms: Sore throat, no fever, no cough, no difficulty breathing; the uvula and posterior pharyngeal wall had many ivory-white, shiny, tough, and tightly adherent pseudomembranes; the staining results showed diphtheria bacteria; the culture results were positive (+). The patient was diagnosed with diphtheria/8-month pregnancy.

The patient was treated in isolation at the Department of Tropical Diseases.

On August 5, the monitoring team of Thanh Hoa CDC and the district and grassroots health systems discovered 4 more cases of close contact with the patient showing symptoms of sore throat and 15 cases of close contact (F1) with the patient.

Provincial agencies provide guidance on environmental treatment with Chloramine B at a concentration of 0.1% active chlorine in the patient's home area and those in contact with the patient; direct Muong Lat District Medical Center and Muong Lat Town Medical Station to promote communication on measures to prevent and control diphtheria; the benefits of vaccination and full and timely vaccination; take samples of suspected F1 cases and send them to Thanh Hoa CDC and the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology for diagnostic testing.

Muong Lat District Medical Center coordinated with Muong Lat Town People's Committee, Police, and Medical Station to conduct epidemiological investigation and surveillance, make a list of cases in direct contact with the patient; take samples for testing and send them to Thanh Hoa CDC; instruct Muong Lat Town Medical Station to handle the environment and disinfect the patient's home and related areas; direct the transport of suspected cases to the District General Hospital for isolation and treatment.

F1 cases are quarantined at home and their health status is monitored for 14 days from the last contact with the confirmed case.

The health system continues to monitor, detect suspected cases, isolate and treat them promptly; trace F1 cases with patients, make lists, organize quarantine and monitor health at home according to regulations.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/thanh-hoa-kiem-soat-dap-dich-bach-hau-o-huyen-muong-lat-post822830.html