Genome sequencing of diphtheria cases to be conducted in state | Bhubaneswar News
BHUBANESWAR: Govt will conduct genome sequencing of diphtheria cases to find out which variant of the bacteria is causing the disease in the affected areas of the state. Nilakantha Mishra, the director of public health, health and family welfare department, said this here on Wednesday.
“Genome sequencing of the diphtheria cases is necessary to know the changes in variants of the diphtheria-causing bacteria.We do not know whether any new strain is creating the disease. We need to see whether any new strain is bypassing the antibodies created by the vaccines in the body,” said Mishra.
He said they are planning to send the diphtheria samples to either the ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) Bhubaneswar or the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) Bhubaneswar for genome sequencing. RMRC has samples of diphtheria cases, he added.
“We are also sending samples of patients to laboratories for antibody tests. Following the test, we can know the antibody level of the patients. If the antibody level in the patients is less, we can say that the impact of the vaccine has been reduced. If there is no reduction in antibody level, we can check the genome sequencing report to find out any changes in variants,” said the director of public health.
He said no new cases have been reported within the last two days. The patients who were undergoing treatment at Rayagada district headquarters hospital (DHH) have been discharged. “Four people are undergoing treatment at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district. We suspect two of them are suffering from diphtheria. We have involved Shaheed Rendo Majhi Medical College and Hospital (MCH) at Bhawanipatna in this process. Others are undergoing treatment at MKCG MCH Berhampur,” he added.
The department has procured anti-diphtheria serums and other medicines for the treatment of this disease. “We have started a vaccination drive in the diphtheria-affected areas. We have kept a vigilant eye on the affected districts,” he added.
Five people have died due to the disease at Manuspadar village under Kashipur block in Rayagada district. The government has sent doctor teams to affected areas to take stock of the situation and to conduct disease surveillance activities. Though the situation is under control, the government does not want to take any chances, said the official sources.
“Genome sequencing of the diphtheria cases is necessary to know the changes in variants of the diphtheria-causing bacteria.We do not know whether any new strain is creating the disease. We need to see whether any new strain is bypassing the antibodies created by the vaccines in the body,” said Mishra.
He said they are planning to send the diphtheria samples to either the ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) Bhubaneswar or the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) Bhubaneswar for genome sequencing. RMRC has samples of diphtheria cases, he added.
“We are also sending samples of patients to laboratories for antibody tests. Following the test, we can know the antibody level of the patients. If the antibody level in the patients is less, we can say that the impact of the vaccine has been reduced. If there is no reduction in antibody level, we can check the genome sequencing report to find out any changes in variants,” said the director of public health.
He said no new cases have been reported within the last two days. The patients who were undergoing treatment at Rayagada district headquarters hospital (DHH) have been discharged. “Four people are undergoing treatment at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district. We suspect two of them are suffering from diphtheria. We have involved Shaheed Rendo Majhi Medical College and Hospital (MCH) at Bhawanipatna in this process. Others are undergoing treatment at MKCG MCH Berhampur,” he added.
The department has procured anti-diphtheria serums and other medicines for the treatment of this disease. “We have started a vaccination drive in the diphtheria-affected areas. We have kept a vigilant eye on the affected districts,” he added.
Five people have died due to the disease at Manuspadar village under Kashipur block in Rayagada district. The government has sent doctor teams to affected areas to take stock of the situation and to conduct disease surveillance activities. Though the situation is under control, the government does not want to take any chances, said the official sources.
