Diphtheria Outbreak in K-P Claims 26 Young Lives

A severe outbreak of diphtheria has swept across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), claiming the lives of 26 children.

Health officials have raised alarm over the rapid spread of the preventable disease.

According to provincial health department data, 380 cases of diphtheria have been reported in 2024, with Peshawar emerging as the worst-hit district, recording 12 fatalities.

Additional deaths were reported in Nowshera and Charsadda (three each) and Mohmand (two).

“Most of the fatalities involved children over the age of five,” health officials stated, adding that the outbreak has impacted 228 union councils across 27 districts of K-P.

A key factor in the surge is incomplete vaccination among children, leaving many vulnerable. “Routine immunisation courses were not completed for most affected children,” officials confirmed.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection targeting the throat and airways, which can be fatal if untreated.

The outbreak underscores critical gaps in K-P’s immunisation programmes, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

Sindh Reports Similar Crisis

Meanwhile, Sindh has also faced a diphtheria crisis this year.

Karachi alone recorded 28 child deaths from the disease due to the unavailability of Diphtheria Anti-Toxin (DAT), despite the infection being preventable through vaccination.

The Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital (SIDH) has reported 166 cases so far in 2024, with 28 fatalities. Last year, the hospital handled 140 cases, 52 of which proved fatal.

Experts point out that DAT, costing approximately Rs250,000 per patient, remains unavailable in Sindh.

“The only reliable protection against diphtheria is complete vaccination and timely access to treatment,” infectious disease experts emphasized.

Vaccination as the Key to Prevention

Dr. Muhammad Arif Khan, Director of K-P’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), highlighted the urgent need for enhanced vaccination coverage.

“Diphtheria is life-threatening, but it is entirely preventable with timely immunisation,” he said.

The routine five-in-one vaccine, which includes protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b, is administered to children in Pakistan.

However, lapses in coverage have left many exposed to this deadly disease.

Diphtheria forms a greyish-white membrane in the throat, obstructing breathing and swallowing, making it a critical condition if left untreated.

Authorities stress the importance of widespread vaccination campaigns to prevent further tragedies.