Aceh cannot be free from diphtheria outbreaks if child immunization coverage is still low.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, ACEH — The Aceh Health Service asked the local community to be aware of the spread of the disease diphtheria which is still an extraordinary incident (KLB) in the area. One way that can be done is through the fulfillment of complete basic immunization for children.
Head of Immunization and Surveillance Section Aceh Health Office Cut Efri Maizardi Banda Aceh, Thursday, said that the Tanah Rencong area is still not free from diphtheria outbreaks, if the community continues to maintain the low coverage of child immunization.
“Yes, it’s not yet free (diphtheria outbreak-Ed), if we still maintain immunization with very low conditions,” he said, Thursday (1/19/2023).
The Aceh Health Service noted that in 2021 there were 17 suspected diphtheria cases, including one positive case in East Aceh District, while in 2022 there were 30 suspected diphtheria cases, and four of them were positive, one case spread each in Pidie, Lhokseumawe, Aceh North, and Southeast Aceh.
In fact, one case each in Southeast Aceh, North Aceh and Pidie was declared dead. “Not only in Kutacane (Southeast Aceh), currently there are still (diphtheria cases) being treated at RSUDZA in Banda Aceh,” said Cut.
Supposedly, he said, one case of diphtheria had been declared an outbreak. Determination diphtheria outbreak in Aceh it has been carried out since 2017. This condition continues to persist in Aceh, considering that the coverage of child immunization is still low in Aceh.
“Diphtheria, just one case has been declared an outbreak. But why didn’t the whole community pay attention because it was not in the world’s spotlight,” he said.
Therefore, it is hoped that the community will be more concerned that the potential for diphtheria transmission is greater, because it can be infected through saliva splashes. “People infected with diphtheria germs can become carriers, because the germs can survive in a person’s body for six months,” he said.
source: Between
