By NewsDesk @bactiman63
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice recently for Vietnam due to a diphtheria outbreak.
Health officials in Vietnam have reported an outbreak of diphtheria in the Central Highlands region.
National health authorities have reported 198 diphtheria cases since the beginning of this year. Of the 198 cases, 172 cases have been reported in the Central Highland region, 22 cases in central provinces and four cases in southern provinces.
In response to the outbreak, the Vietnam Ministry of Health has launched a vaccination campaign for affected provinces and implemented several measures to help prevent and control the spread of the disease.
CDC says travelers to Vietnam should make sure they are up to date with diphtheria vaccination.
Diphtheria is a bacterial disease that causes respiratory tract and skin infections. It can spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, and through contact with infected skin sores.
Diphtheria bacteria make a toxin (poison) that kills healthy tissues in the respiratory system. Within two to three days, the dead tissue forms a thick, gray coating that can build up in the throat or nose making it very hard to breathe and swallow. If the toxin gets into the blood stream, it can cause heart, nerve, and kidney damage.
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