SATIYAH had no idea that the fever affecting her eldest son, Vahrizal, 25, since two weeks ago was the symptom of an uncommon disease. Because of his illness, Vahrizal had to stay in an isolation room at the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital (RSPI), Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta. "My son is suffering from diphtheria," said Satiyah, 45.

Vahrizal was feverish, though he felt that he improved after consuming antipyretic powder. But several