| Azaraimy HH |
BRUNEI has not recorded any case of diphtheria, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said.
However, the country will continue to closely monitor the situation following the outbreak of the deadly disease in Malaysia and some other countries in the region, it added.
The neighbouring country has reported 24 cases of the disease in different states, involving four deaths.
Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by bacterial microorganisms known as Corynebacterium diphtheria which is spread through respiratory droplets.
It is a disease of the past in most parts of the world. However, in countries where there is a lower uptake of booster vaccines, there remain thousands of cases each year.
Diphtheria is an infection spread only among humans – people are the only known reservoir for it. It is contagious via direct physical contact.
“There have been no cases of diphtheria in Brunei in the past 20 years due to our strong DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) immunisation programme,” Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy) at the MoH, told a press conference yesterday.
Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy) at the Ministry of Health and senior medical officers at the press conference yesterday. – AZARAIMY HH
Proudly, the country has actually achieved 97.8 per cent immunisation coverage, which is well above the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) target of 95 per cent, he noted.
However, senior medical officials present at the conference urged parents to ensure that their children are adequately immunised through the DTP programme. In the case of citizens, the immunisation details will be shown in their children’s record card, but residents holding purple IC are advised to furnish hospitals or health with the immunisation records of their children.
Officials explained that diphtheria will cause an infection in the throat that blocks the victim’s airway and creates a barking cough. At times, the bacteria can also spread and create acute problems such as breathing difficulty, heart failure, paralysis, lungs infections, and can lead to death.
Diphtheria symptoms usually begin two to five days after a person becomes infected. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, flu, sore throat and running saliva especially in kids. It is contagious, through contact with infected people or objects, 14 to 28 days after the initial infection. Diphtheria can infect people of any age, but children who have not been vaccinated are especially susceptible, and it can be fatal.
Children who have immune deficiency and lack in antibody caused by not getting immunisation or whose immunisation status is not complete are all at high risk of getting the deadly disease.
The DTP programme in Brunei Darussalam is part of the National Immunisation Programme for Children (aged up to five) implemented through health centres and mother and child clinics across the country.
Currently, DTP vaccination is given to children aged two months, four months, and six months as well as an additional booster dose at the age of five.
The press conference was attended by Rosmah binti Haji Mohamad Shah, Senior Medical Chemist; Dr Justin Wong, Medical Superintendent Public Health; Dr Hajah Rafidah binti Haji Gharif, Medical Superintendent Community Health; Dr Hajah Rohayati binti Haji Md Taib, Consultant Paediatrician; and Dr Yunga Chee Tee, Senior Medical Officer.
For further information, the public may reach the ministry through the Darussalam line 123.
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