- (a) Cultures should be obtained separately from the nose and throat by means of sterile swab and test tube as provided by the Department of Health for aid in diagnosis.
(b)
- (1) A case or carrier of diphtheria shall not be released until two (2) cultures from the throat and two (2) from the nose, taken not less than twenty-four (24) hours apart, fail to show the presence of diphtheria bacilli.
- (2) The first of such cultures shall be taken not less than one (1) week from the day of the onset of the disease.
(3) A virulence test should be made in any case where positive cultures are reported three (3) weeks or longer after:
- (A) The onset of the disease; or
- (B) Discovery of a carrier.
- (4) If the organisms are nonvirulent, the patient may be released.