More than 100 children have died in Karachi, Pakistan, this year due to diphtheria, a preventable disease, largely because of the unavailability of Diphtheria Anti-Toxin (DAT), according to a report by Geo News. Despite the availability of vaccines, the shortage of the crucial antitoxin has led to these tragic deaths.
Sindh health officials confirmed that 140 cases of diphtheria were recorded last year at the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital, with 52 fatalities.Experts say that the lifesaving antitoxin needed to treat the disease is unavailable across Sindh, including Karachi, with treatment costs estimated at 250,000 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) per child.
Diphtheria, caused by a bacterium that affects the respiratory tract and skin, produces a toxin that can damage the heart and nerves, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The disease is vaccine-preventable, but requires multiple doses and boosters to maintain immunity. Those who are unvaccinated or under-immunized are at the highest risk.
Health experts in Pakistan have raised concerns about the lack of vaccine coverage and the dire need for intervention. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), Muhammad Arif Khan, stressed the importance of timely vaccination to prevent diphtheria outbreaks, emphasizing that the disease can cause severe complications, including difficulty breathing and swallowing.
WHO data shows that symptoms of diphtheria, such as sore throat, fever, and swollen neck glands, typically appear 2-5 days after exposure. Without proper treatment, the disease can be fatal in 30% of cases, with young children especially at risk.
Global immunization rates have been disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, further exacerbating the issue. In Pakistan, immunization coverage remains uneven, with some areas like Balochistan reporting rates as low as 38%, well below global standards. The World Bank notes that Pakistan’s immunization coverage ranks among the lowest compared to similarly wealthy countries in Eastern and Southern Asia.
Efforts to improve vaccination rates and provide adequate medical resources remain critical to preventing more deaths from this preventable disease.