Diphtheria outbreak at the University Hospital of Maracaibo in Venezuela

The right wing of the 8th floor of the University Hospital of Maracaibo (HUM) has been closed and isolated with 17 employee/patients with suspected or confirmed diphtheria, according to a El Pitazo report (computer translated).

Outside of the 8th floor, 485 employees had been vaccinated against the disease on Tuesday.The hospital remains on alert as the contagion has spread quite rapidly.

It is reported that their may be others infected on nearby floors who will be isolated, sources tell reporters.

Hospital officials fear this could get worse due to a “lack of supplies”. Doctors say, “This has become crazy because there are no vaccines”. As a recommendation, a doctor notes that to prevent diphtheria and because there are no vaccines, the first barrier method to be used is to use masks and wash hands.

7,000 employees work in the University Hospital and only 15 percent received the vaccine. The hospital receives 2500 visitors daily.

Maracaibo is a city and port in northwestern Venezuela.

It was reported in early June, since eradication of diphtheria some two decades ago, more than 400 cases have been reported in Venezuela since 2016.

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