Two 18-year-old girls hailing from Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam have been hospitalized and quarantined following the death of their roommate who contracted diphtheria.

The Center for Disease Control of Nghe An recently informed its counterpart in Bac Giang Province, northern Vietnam of the fatal case, as these two girls work at a karaoke parlor in Bac Giang’s Hiep Hoa District and had close contact with the diphtheria patient.

Earlier, the girls, namely M.T.B. and M.T.S., returned to their hometown in Nghe An’s Ky Son District for taking part in the national high school graduation exam from June 25 to 28 and shared a room with the patient.

The girls left Ky Son for Hiep Hoa on July 1 to work at a karaoke parlor.

After learning that the roommate died of diphtheria on July 5, the duo bought over-the-counter medicines to soothe their sore throat.

Two days later, M.T.B. was taken to the Hanoi-based National Hospital for Tropical Diseases for medical treatment as she tested positive for diphtheria, while M.T.S. was put under quarantine.

According to health authorities, diphtheria is an acute bacterial infection that affects the throat and the upper respiratory tract including the nose, nasopharynx, nasal cavity, and pharynx.

This contagious disease can lead to outbreaks and can be fatal.

Diphtheria patients without proper treatment can die in 6-10 days.

To avoid catching diphtheria, people are advised to keep personal hygiene, wash hands regularly with soap, cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, refrain from having contact with those with probable or confirmed diphtheria, and keep their homes and the surroundings clean and airy.

People with suspected diphtheria should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Diphtheria is not only treatable but also preventable with vaccines.

The national expanded program on immunization is providing free vaccination against diphtheria to children aged under one.

Parents should have their kids get booster shots as the vaccine protection against the disease could wane over time.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!