Two kids die of diphtheria

There has been an alarming rise in the number of diphtheria cases in the district in the last few days, causing concern among the people.

Two children, Revanasidda (8) and Ratnakka (10) of the same family are under treatment for diphtheria at the Dr L H Bidari Hospital in the city. Their blood samples have been sent for laboratory tests, said Dr Jagannath, the district health and family welfare  officer. The duo are recovering, said paediatrician Dr L H Bidari.

The post of the junior health assistant has remained vacant for the last four years at the Kakhandaki health sub centre. Hence, children in the village had not been administered DPT vaccination. After the death of two children, the administration seems to have woken up. The vaccination programme has now been taken up, said Dr Lakkanna of the district communicable diseases prevention unit.