Diphtheria in the Dominican Republic

Acute infection of the nose and throat that can

be easily prevented with a vaccine.A thick, gray
film of substance covers the back of the throat
and makes breathing difficult.Symptoms are sore
throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and
weakness.Treatment includes the use of
antibiotics and an antitoxin that neutralizes
diphtheria toxin. The vaccine exists and is
available.

The Ministry of Public Health issued an

epidemiological alert on Thursday regarding the
occurrence of diphtheria cases in different parts
of the country, of which four have been
confirmed, and six remain under Av. Dr. Héctor Homero Hernández, Esq. Av.
investigation.These cases have been reported so Tiradentes, Ens. La Fe Santo Domingo, R.D.
(809) 541-3121
far in 2021, until the present Epidemiological
info@miniseriodesalud.go.do
Week (EW) number 14, of the ten notifications
www.miniseriodesalud.go.do
eight deaths have been reported, of these, the
result of the samples sent to the Centers for the
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta,
confirming that all were caused by diphtheria.
JOABEL ROSADO
YUSTILL BURGOS
DISNALDA RODRIGUEZ
 About the Diphtheria
Acute infection of the nose and
throat that can be easily prevented
with a vaccine.A thick, gray film of
substance covers the back of the
throat and makes breathing
difficult.Symptoms are sore throat,
fever, swollen lymph nodes, and
weakness.Treatment includes the
use of antibiotics and an antitoxin
that neutralizes diphtheria toxin.
The vaccine exists and is available.
Trassmision
Diphtheria is easily transmitted from
one person to another, either by
direct contact or by air, through
respiratory droplets emitted for
example by coughing or sneezing.
Symptoms
Requires medical diagnosis Treatment
Symptoms are sore throat, fever, Treatment consists of antibiotics
swollen lymph nodes, and
weakness.People can suffer:Whole Treatment includes the use of
body: chills, fatigue, fever, or antibiotics and an antitoxin that
malaiseRespiratory: difficulty neutralizes diphtheria toxin. The
breathing or noisy breathingSkin: vaccine exists and is available.
rashes or ulcersSpeaks: hoarseness
or faulty voiceThroat: difficulty
People at high risk
swallowing or painAlso common:
nasal congestion, muscle weakness,
Here are some of the people who
swollen lymph nodes, swelling, or are at higher risk for diphtheria:
cough
Children and adults who do not have
Prevention
up-to-date vaccinesPeople living in
overcrowded or unsanitary
The most effective way to avoid the
disease is vaccination. Diphtheria conditionsAnyone traveling to an
area where diphtheria infections are
vaccine is highly effective and is
administered as part of the Routine more common.
Vaccination Program in the
Dominican Republic.