A confirmed case of diphtheria, a rare and potentially severe bacterial infection, has been reported at Wigmore Primary School in Luton, UK. Health officials from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) East of England have issued urgent warnings to parents and are taking measures to prevent further spread. Diphtheria is typically preventable through vaccination, but there has been a recent decrease in the number of teenagers receiving the booster shot at age 14.
The UKHSA is collaborating with local and national partners to implement necessary public health measures, including a thorough risk assessment to identify close contacts of the affected individual. Vaccinations and guidance will be provided to prevent the further spread of the infection, and health experts emphasize that the risk of onward transmission to the broader community is low.
Diphtheria is contagious and primarily affects the nose and throat. Infections are rare in England due to routine immunization. The affected individual is undergoing treatment and is reported to be recovering well. While the risk to the wider public is considered very low, health officials are taking precautionary measures to disseminate information and urge anyone suspecting infection to seek immediate medical attention.
Wigmore Primary School has communicated the diphtheria case to parents, reassuring them that the individual is being treated and emphasizing that the risk to children is low. Dr. Sultan Salimee, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at UKHSA East of England, highlighted the importance of vaccinations, stating that completing the course of vaccinations is the most effective way for people to protect themselves against becoming ill with diphtheria.
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