Peru's Health Ministry: There is no reason to generate national alarm over diphtheria

At a press conference, the epidemiologist explained that —so far— there has been a localized diphtheria outbreak in Lima's La Victoria district.

This prompted health personnel to investigate, conduct tests, and vaccinate the different contacts of the infected minor, who passed away days later.

As a result of that follow-up to that first outbreak, 7,097 people based around the child's home were vaccinated against diphtheria, and 88 suspects of colds and sore throats were tested —all of whom were negative.

"So far, the investigation and control allow us to say that no case additional to the family outbreak (the minor and three of her relatives) has been identified. We hope that, thanks to the vaccination of 7,000 people, the case registered in La Victoria will be contained," he indicated.

Concerning the case of the 69-year-old woman, who died from diphtheria at Cayetano Heredia Hospital, the government official said that the type of bacteria found is "not a toxin producer." This means that it does not cause any risks to the population. However, he noted that 771 people were vaccinated for precautionary purposes in that area belonging to Lima's San Martin de Porres district.

"It was an epidemiological alert, these are not alarms. It means that all the country's health services must be vigilant, and no new cases have been identified so far," he concluded.