Delhi Records Maximum Number of Deaths Due to Diphtheria in the Country

The highest number of deaths due to Diphtheria, a bacterial infection that affects membranes of the throat and nose was witnessed in the nation's capital.

"The number of deaths due to diphtheria (which is one of the vaccine preventable deaths) in Delhi in 2013 and 2014 were 42 and 60 respectively. It is reported to be the highest in the country in both the years. The total deaths nationwide in 2013 and 2014 were 67 and 104 respectively," said Jagat Prakash Nadda, union Minister for Health.

He said these deaths have occurred though 71.78% of the children were covered under Universal Immunization Program in 2012-13, 80.4% in 2013-14 and 89.39% in 2014-15.

Uttar Pradesh witnessed the highest number of deaths due to tetanus (which is also one of the vaccine preventable deaths), with 58 deaths recorded in 2012, 47 in 2013 and 33 in 2014.

Percentage of children covered under Universal Immunization Program in Haryana and Rajasthan recorded lowest in the country in 2015-16 with 0.16 and 19.19 % respectively, said the minister.

Source: IANS