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VIETNAM-DIPHTHERIA-DEATH
Vietnam reports 1 more diphtheria death in central highlands
HANOI, Oct. 02,2020 (BSS/XINHUA) — One more fatality from diphtheria has been confirmed in Gia Lai Province in Vietnam’s central highlands, raising the death toll from the disease in the province to two, Vietnam News Agency reported on Friday.
The patient is a ninth-grader in Mang Yang District of the province who also suffered from congenital heart disease, the news agency reported, citing Mai Xuan Hai, head of the provincial health department.
The student was sent to medical facilities on Sept. 21 after having symptoms of coughing and high fever but died shortly after that, according to the report.
Local authorities have implemented disease prevention and control measures after the student’s positive diphtheria test, the news agency reported.
Gia Lai has reported a total of 41 diphtheria cases, among which two have died and 38 have been cured and discharged from hospital, said the news agency.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health on July 9 launched a vaccination campaign against diphtheria, which, at its initial stage, will offer some 10 million doses of vaccines to 4.7 million people in four central highlands provinces namely Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai and Kon Tum.
BSS/XINHUA/IJ/1721 hrs