South Africa's Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison has declared a diphtheria outbreak after the death of a 19-year-old inmate, according to Health Minister Joe Phaahla.
The male inmate, who contracted the disease last month, passed away on Sunday. Following his death, eight more inmates, aged between 18 and 23, have been isolated after testing positive for the disease.
Dr. Phaahla added that two staff members displaying symptoms are currently awaiting their test results.
Dr. Phaahla mentioned that a vaccination campaign is currently in progress in the affected section of the prison.
Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial disease that affects the nose and throat, and may also lead to skin ulcers, is preventable through vaccination. The disease is transmitted through coughs, sneezes, or close contact with an infected person and, in severe cases, can be fatal.
Did you read this?
Since commencing immunization against diphtheria in the 1950s, South Africa has documented sporadic cases of the disease, as reported by the country's National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is grappling with one of its most severe diphtheria outbreaks, resulting in the death of over 600 people and infecting more than 14,000 individuals.
