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Jab urged after diphtheria death | Jab urged after diphtheria death |
(1 day later) | |
Infectious disease experts have warned parents to check their children are vaccinated after a child in London died from what is thought to be diphtheria. | Infectious disease experts have warned parents to check their children are vaccinated after a child in London died from what is thought to be diphtheria. |
The infection is now extremely rare in the UK due to a vaccine programme which was introduced in 1942. | The infection is now extremely rare in the UK due to a vaccine programme which was introduced in 1942. |
There have been just three other deaths from diptheria in the UK since 1994. | There have been just three other deaths from diptheria in the UK since 1994. |
Precautions have been taken to prevent the child's infection spreading to other people, the Health Protection Agency said. | Precautions have been taken to prevent the child's infection spreading to other people, the Health Protection Agency said. |
It is important that we maintain high levels of immunisation to prevent diphtheria in the UK Professor Peter Borriello | It is important that we maintain high levels of immunisation to prevent diphtheria in the UK Professor Peter Borriello |
The few isolated cases of diphtheria that are seen in the UK are usually in unvaccinated people who have travelled to countries where the disease is still common. | The few isolated cases of diphtheria that are seen in the UK are usually in unvaccinated people who have travelled to countries where the disease is still common. |
It affects the upper respiratory tract, nose, throat, voice box and upper windpipe and occasionally, the skin. | It affects the upper respiratory tract, nose, throat, voice box and upper windpipe and occasionally, the skin. |
Symptoms include a sore throat, fever and swollen lymph glands in the neck. | Symptoms include a sore throat, fever and swollen lymph glands in the neck. |
But more serious symptoms can occur if the diphtheria is caused by a strain that produces toxins. | But more serious symptoms can occur if the diphtheria is caused by a strain that produces toxins. |
No official details about the child have been released. | No official details about the child have been released. |
'Rare' | 'Rare' |
Professor Peter Borriello, from the Health Protection Agency said: "It is rare for people to die from diphtheria as severe infection is prevented by immunisation and the majority of children are routinely immunised against diphtheria in the UK. | Professor Peter Borriello, from the Health Protection Agency said: "It is rare for people to die from diphtheria as severe infection is prevented by immunisation and the majority of children are routinely immunised against diphtheria in the UK. |
"This child had not been immunised." | "This child had not been immunised." |
He added that close contacts of the child have been prescribed antibiotics and booster immunisations where necessary. | He added that close contacts of the child have been prescribed antibiotics and booster immunisations where necessary. |
"Due to these measures and the protective effect of immunisation we believe that it is unlikely that others will be affected. | "Due to these measures and the protective effect of immunisation we believe that it is unlikely that others will be affected. |
"It is important that we maintain high levels of immunisation to prevent diphtheria in the UK. | "It is important that we maintain high levels of immunisation to prevent diphtheria in the UK. |
"Whilst it is uncommon here, cases occur more frequently in other countries and therefore diphtheria can be introduced into the UK by people travelling. | "Whilst it is uncommon here, cases occur more frequently in other countries and therefore diphtheria can be introduced into the UK by people travelling. |
"Our thoughts are with this child's family and friends at this difficult time." | "Our thoughts are with this child's family and friends at this difficult time." |
Babies are routinely immunised against diphtheria at two, three and four months old. | Babies are routinely immunised against diphtheria at two, three and four months old. |
Booster doses are given before starting school and then again between the age of 16 and 18 years. | Booster doses are given before starting school and then again between the age of 16 and 18 years. |
Since 2001 uptake of the vaccine has been 94% although coverage in London is only 86%. | Since 2001 uptake of the vaccine has been 94% although coverage in London is only 86%. |
Before vaccination there were about 60,000 cases of diphtheria in the UK with 4,000 deaths. | Before vaccination there were about 60,000 cases of diphtheria in the UK with 4,000 deaths. |
Dr Keith Prowse, chairman of the British Lung Foundation said diphtheria is a serious respiratory illness. | |
"The bacteria which causes the disease can be found virtually anywhere, but diphtheria is rare in the UK and elsewhere in the west because of our comprehensive child vaccination programme." |
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