In a troubling resurgence of diphtheria, six children under the age of 10 have died in remote villages of Rajasthan’s Deeg district over the last 30 days. Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial disease largely thought to be under control due to widespread immunization, has caused concern among health officials. The symptoms of diphtheria include fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and in severe cases, airway obstruction, making it a life-threatening condition if untreated.
Of the six deceased children, two had been vaccinated, three had not, and the immunization status of the sixth child is still being determined. The first reported death occurred on September 14, involving a 7-year-old boy. On September 28, three more children, aged 5 to 6, succumbed to the disease, followed by another death of a 5-year-old.
The health department has confirmed that a boy who died in Jaipur’s state-run SMS Hospital on October 9 was a victim of diphtheria. Additional samples are currently being tested. State officials are concerned, as this marks an unusual spike in fatalities linked to diphtheria in recent years.
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