KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 — A toddler in Johor Baru is believed to have died from diphtheria on Thursday, which is the latest case of infections of unimmunised child since birth.

In a statement yesterday, Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the two-year-old was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit of a hospital last Monday.

He said the child developed a fever, cough and swollen tonsils two days before admission to the emergency unit.

"The child was given assisted breathing as well as antitoxin diphtheria treatment.

"Unfortunately, the child could not be saved and passed away on February 21, 2019 due to severe diphtheria and multiorgan failure,” said Dr Noor Hisham, who said swab samples from the child's throat found traces of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

He said the Health Ministry is awaiting laboratory results to confirm the diphtheria toxin.

As of 2019, Dr Noor Hisham said only one confirmed diphtheria case has been recorded.

"In 2018, there were 18 cases in which five resulted in deaths, which had involved children below the age of 10 years old. Four out of the five deaths had not received their immunisation,” he said.

"The ministry advises the public to be wary of infectious diseases that can be prevented through immunisation, such as diphtheria, measles, whooping cough and others.”

Dr Noor Hisham urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated and that those who have not been vaccinated or missed their shots should have their immunisation updated.

Diphtheria is caused by the infection of the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium which causes sore throat, a thick grey membrane coating on the back of the throat and swollen tonsils.

It could also cause complications such as blood and heart infections, which can lead to death.