After yesterday's first case of diphtheria occurred in New South Wales, Australia, for the first time in a century,
Today, New South Wales confirmed its second case of diphtheria this century.
Like the first case, it was also a child.
Attention, parents!
Source: DailyMail
It is reported that the second case occurred in northern New South Wales, a 6-year-old girl, (Australia’s largest Internet celebrity Douyin account "Micro Sydney" will show you interesting things about Australian life Children! A must for studying abroad, traveling and immigrating! Please search "Micro Sydney" on Douyin, we are waiting for you! )
Moreover, the child is a close family contact of the first child case announced on Saturday and is in intensive care. middle.
The newly diagnosed child had not been vaccinated against diphtheria,
They were admitted locally as a precautionary measure and are currently being treated at a local health unit.
Diphtheria is a contagious and potentially fatal bacterial infection caused by toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans.
In some cases, it can be life-threatening.
In the most severe cases, it affects the throat and tonsils, causing the formation of a gray-white film that makes swallowing and breathing difficult.
The infection can also cause swelling in the neck, while toxins formed by the bacteria can cause inflammation of the heart muscle and nerves, according to NSW Health.
This is fatal for 5 to 10 percent of those infected.
Source: DailyMail
Currently, other close contacts of the two young children have received post-exposure prophylaxis to reduce the risk of transmission.
Treat diphtheria infection with antibiotics and antitoxin
to stop the infection from developing,
If not vaccinated,
you may also need a course of vaccinations,
Some people may need to be hospitalized.
North Coast Public Health Director Paul Douglas said:
There is no ongoing risk to the wider community, but families should remain vigilant and check their children's immunization status.
"Diphtheria is very rare in Australia due to our long-term childhood immunization program.
However, the consequences of the disease are very serious and can be fatal."
"The diphtheria vaccine is free for every child aged six weeks Diphtheria was a common cause of death in children until the 1940s, but now it mainly occurs in people with poor immunity, the NSW Department of Health said. s country.
Diphtheria bacteria can survive in the mouth, nose, throat or skin of an infected person and is usually spread through respiratory droplets after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Sometimes, but rarely, this bacteria is spread through close contact with secretions from the mouth, nose, throat, or skin of an infected person.
Without antibiotic treatment, people with diphtheria can remain contagious for up to 4 weeks, and some people are more contagious.
A second, less common type of diphtheria, infection with Corynebacterium ulcerans, occurs occasionally, sometimes after eating unpasteurized milk or contact with animals.
Source: DailyMail
If diphtheria is suspected, you may find a gray-white membrane in the throat.(Australia's largest Internet celebrity Douyin account "Micro Sydney" will show you all the interesting things about life in Australia! A must-have for studying abroad, traveling and immigrating! Please search "Micro Sydney" on the Douyin account, we are waiting for you here ! )
The throat swab test will then be taken and sent to a laboratory, where special laboratory tests are needed to detect and diagnose diphtheria.
So, if you have any symptoms of diphtheria, see your doctor immediately!
