Watch – Diphtheria in Vietnam

Diphtheria is a bacterial disease that causes respiratory tract and skin infections. It can spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, and through contact with infected skin sores.

Diphtheria bacteria make a toxin (poison) that kills healthy tissues in the respiratory system. Within two to three days, the dead tissue forms a thick, gray coating that can build up in the throat or nose making it very hard to breathe and swallow. If the toxin gets into the blood stream, it can cause heart, nerve, and kidney damage.

Diphtheria skin infections are more common in tropical areas. They are not usually severe. However, people who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated against diphtheria can develop serious respiratory tract disease after touching the skin sores of someone with diphtheria skin infection.

Read the original notice at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)