SUNGAI PETANI: A family lost a second child to diphtheria, almost exactly a month after the death of his older brother.

Eleven-month old Muhammad Rusyidi Rizky Amdin (pic) died of the disease yesterday. His brother Muham­mad Haris Haikal, two, had died at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar on June 22.

The latest death raised the diphtheria fatalities in the country to six. It was the second case in Kedah.

Zalifah Hussin, 40, said she woke up to feed Rusyidi at about 2am and found him lifeless.

“He was healthy and active after being discharged on Thursday from the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital Setar where he was admitted with his seven siblings on June 21 after they complained of fever, sore throat and breathing difficulties.

“Haris died while the others were discharged a few days ago after being given a clean bill of health,” she said at her home.

The mother of 12 said her four other children aged between 13 and 20, were unaffected.

Married to lorry driver Amdin Ab Hamid, 48, Zalifah also said yesterday she accepted the death of her two sons as the will of God.

On Friday, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Kedah had the most cases with eight, followed by Negri Sembilan (seven), Sabah (four with three deaths), Malacca (three with one death) and Penang (two cases).

“Our checks showed that six patients were vaccinated but they still caught the disease while those who died did not receive any vaccination or failed to receive the full vaccination course,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said four of the six latest cases in Negri Sembilan involved children from Rembau while the other two were Rembau Health Clinic staff who contracted the disease while treating the children.

“The cases in Kedah and Penang were isolated ones. Parents should ensure their children are fully vaccinated and those who have not been vaccinated against diphtheria should go to the nearest government clinic or hospital,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham reminded all medical staff to practice hygiene and wash their hands after treating patients.