Vietnam worries about possible outbreak after Laos reports 11 diphtheria deaths
Health officials are concerned that the diphtheria outbreaks in Laos can spread to Vietnam, saying remote areas along the border where vaccination coverage rates are not high are particularly vulnerable.
A statement from the Preventive Health Department at the health ministry said Laos has reported diphtheria outbreaks at six out of 17 cities and provinces, with 588 infections including 11 deaths between June and October.
