ISLAMABAD — The News reported on Tuesday that the National Institute of Health (NIH) has expressed concern about a concerning rise in diphtheria cases nationwide.
“The current state of diphtheria is concerning. All throughout Pakistan, there are cases and fatalities. Lab positive is also noted. However, we don’t currently know the precise number of cases and deaths,” an NIH official told the publication as the agency released its second advisory on the disease that had spread the day before.
The development coincides with the urgent need for action due to the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Pakistan, especially in light of the tragic deaths of over 100 people in Karachi.
Mostly affecting the respiratory system, diphtheria is a toxin-driven illness brought on by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
