SUNGAI PETANI: An 11-month-old baby, who had been in critical condition after contracting diphtheria a month ago, has died.

Muhammad Rushaidi Rizqi, the youngest of 14 siblings died at 2am today at the family’s home in the Paya Nahu flats here.

This was confirmed by the boy’s mother, Zalifah Hussin, 40.

“I usually wake up around 2am to feed him milk. However, when I tried to wake him this morn, he did not respond and there was no signs of him breathing,” she said.

She said his death was unexpected as, despite the diphtheria, he had appeared to be in good health.

Zalifah added that the last time she brought her baby for a follow-up checkup was on Thursday at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital.

Zalifah had last month (June 22) lost her two-year-old son Muhammad Harris Haikal Amdin to diphtheria.

Both Muhammad Haris and Rushaidi did not complete their vaccinations.

Following Harris’ death, five of the 14 siblings, aged 3, 4, 8, 10 and 11, were also warded at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital due to diphtheria.

-NST