Description of the situation
19 July 1996
Disease Outbreak Reported
An outbreak of diphtheria has occurred in Laos and neighbouring regions of Thailand. A total of 72 cases, including 4 deaths have been reported from Sayabouri province in Laos. Twenty cases have so far been reported from Thailand and the epidemic seem to be spreading. WHO has assisted the countries in outbreak investigations, provision of antitoxin for treatment of cases and with planning of mass campaigns to contain the epidemic in both countries. (Information received from WHO Global Programme on Vaccines and Immunizations, GPV)