S Kalimantan on Alert, Six Diphtheria Suspects Found

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - South Kalimantan Health Agency is on alert of the spread of diphtheria outbreak after some suspects of the infectious disease found in several districts and city.

The acting head of the agency Muhammad Muslim in Banjarmasin on Tuesday said six suspected cases of diphtheria virus found in Tabalong, Tanah Bumbu, and Banjarbaru.

"Although we have not yet found positive cases of diphtheria, South Kalimantan on alert because some people have been declared suspect diphtheria at this time," he said.

Based on the data, the people affected by this suspect diphtheria come from Banjarbaru City as many as four, Tabalong one person and one from Tanah Bumbu. Currently, the sufferers are referred at Ulin General Hospital Banjarmasin and still undergoing treatment.

But he insisted people need not worry too much, most importantly the parents are asked to anticipate the spread of diphtheria by recognizing the early symptoms of the attack, and immediately went to the nearest health service center.

Symptoms of diphtheria disease initially in the form of fever suffered by the patient, then followed by the appearance of membranes in the esophagus that causes closed and cannot breathe.

Diphtheria bacteria can also cause heart and nerve disorders that make the muscles weak.

Diphtheria-causing bacteria can be prevented by injection of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT) vaccine three times in children under one year of age.

Furthermore, by the age of one to five years, the child is re-immunized twice and resumes Dt/Td immunization for students repeated every ten years including adults.

In addition, he added, to anticipate the spread of the disease, Health Agency also deploy a number of officers (surveyors).

South Kalimantan Health Agency has been twice delivered a letter to the regents and mayors across South Kalimantan to take preventive measures and socialization to the community earlier.

Diphtheria actually happened in South Kalimantan in 2004 and reported 11 people died.