FIGHTING DIPHTHERIA. Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo (right) says vaccination remains the best method to prevent the spread of diphtheria, during a press conference in Pasay City on Wednesday (Sept. 25, 2019). Diphtheria is a common bacterial infection among children that affects the nose and throat. (PNA photo by Ma. Teresa Montemayor)
MANILA -- There is no threatening trend concerning diphtheria — a bacterial infection affecting the nose and throat — in the country, a health official said Wednesday.
“We’re getting around 150 cases a year, pero hindi naman (but it is not that) significant. 2018 is actually less compared to 2017,” Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo said in a press conference during the National Childhood Cancer Stakeholders workshop in Pasay City.
Domingo made the clarification following reports stating the emergence of diphtheria cases in several regions in the country.
“Ang important kasi sa diphtheria ay makontrol mo agad basta nagkaroon ng isang kaso (The important thing about diphtheria is control as soon as a case arises) to make sure it doesn’t spread, giving antibiotics to all the contacts. So far we haven’t had outbreaks with continuous spread or transmission,” he said.
According to data from the DOH-Epidemiology Bureau, 183 cases of diphtheria were reported in 2018 but only 55 of them were confirmed, including 13 deaths.
“Vaccination is still the number one prevention for diphtheria, which is given at one-and-a-half months, and before the child turns four months, vaccines should be complete and of course, early treatment and management of cases,” Domingo said.
Fever, cough, colds, swelling of the throat, and difficulty in breathing and eating are the common symptoms of diphtheria.
“We’re still confirming if the Manila student is a case of diphtheria. Kung positive talaga siya sa diphtheria lahat ng (If she has diphtheria, all her) possible contacts must be given antibiotics,” Domingo said.
He noted the availability of vaccines for diphtheria and other diseases, which are distributed to regions nationwide by the Family Health Office.
When asked if the DOH’s immunization program would be affected by the budget cut, Domingo said it remains comprising the biggest part of the agency’s budget.
“It shouldn’t be affected by the budget cut and we have about PHP7.4 billion a year for vaccines and the supply to the community is really continuous and complete since we buy them for all children for that particular year,” Domingo said.
"Nanghihingi pa talaga kami ng restoration ng funding, especially sa PhilHealth natin, iyong (We're still requesting for the restoration of funding, especially for PhilHealth, the) expanded primary health care packages but we haven’t discussed (it) with the Department of Budget and Management because (Health) Secretary (Francisco) Duque is in Geneva," he added. (PNA)
