Diphtheria cases surge in Sindh as EPI scrambles for control
- 219 suspected/confirmed diphtheria cases - 40 deaths, 18% fatality rate - Low vaccination coverage blamed for outbreak IV Report KARACHI: Amidst reports of a gradual increase in diphtheria outbreak cases received at hospitals across the province, the Sindh Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) confirmed late October 16 that 59 more people affected by the bacterial disease have landed in hospitals in 12 days since October 5, taking the tally of suspected or confirmed diphtheria patients to 219 for 2024. An official statement said there were five confirmed diphtheria outbreaks in districts - Central, West, Keamari in Karachi division and Dadu, Larkana - which registered 40 deaths this year. This marks a 43% increase against 28 deaths confirmed by October 5. The overall fatality rate stands at 18%. The EPI has initiated case response activities in all affected union councils of districts concerned. So far, 878 children under five years of age have been vaccinated with the...