Three more affected by Diphtheria in Malappuram

MALAPPURAM: Three more suspected diphtheria cases were reported from various parts of Malappuram on Saturday. A 27-year-old woman from Pulikkal, a 10-year-old boy from Cheriyamundam and another 13-year-old boy from Edavanna have been admitted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital after the symptoms were found in them, said Dr. V. Ummer Farook, the District Medical Officer. With this, the total number of reported cases has climbed to 90 in the past three months in the district. Out of them, 26 are confirmed and two people have died.

A monthly review meeting of the ongoing diphtheria immunisation drive was also held on Saturday in which the progress of the drive was reviewed by the block level health officers and supporting officials from the 15 health blocks in the district. “The drive has been making progress in all parts of the district and the target can hardly be covered within the stipulated three months,” the DMO said.

The special immunisation drive has primarily been concentrated in 13 blocks where the cases were reported. Chungathara and Marancheri are the only health blocks in the district from where no case has been reported so far.  Meanwhile, Pulikkal Panchayath, from where a majority of cases were reported, has come up with a short film as part of the vaccination campaign. District collector S. Venkatesapathi released the film on Friday.