9 People In Garut Reportedly Died Of Diphterial Outbreak

Officers wore personal protective equipment while bathing the body of a child who was suspected of having a diphtheria. (ANTARA)

GARUT - The Health Office (Dinkes) of Garut Regency, West Java, said that the cases of death due to the outbreak of diphtheria in the area increased to nine people from a total of 14 positive cases. "Yes, one (increases) from Cisurupan at the age of 9 years," said Secretary of the Garut District Health Office Leli Yuliani, quoted by ANATRA, Friday, March 17, he said that Garut Regency had determined the case of a diphtheria as an Extraordinary Event (KLB) until November 2023 to provide optimal health services. Recorded cases of the previous death of the diphtheria, he said, as many as eight people in February 2023, then currently increased by one to nine people. The condition of the patient who died, he said, because he had not received the complete diffection vaccination as recommended by the government. The existence of the death case, said Leli, made his staff continue to increase their immunization efforts by pursuing vaccination targets for the children. "The immunization is being pursued for children whose incomplete immunization status is mainly in areas whose vaccination coverage is below 70 percent," he said.. He said that currently vaccination is still focused on being carried out in the Pangatikan District area because there are many cases of diphtheria in the area.

In addition to massive vaccinations, he said, his staff also continues to disseminate information about efforts to prevent and handle the distribution to the people in Garut.