Doctor's mistrust reported by father of child who succumbed to diphtheria

In the small town of Bērzaune parish, a family's refusal to vaccinate their children has led to a tragic turn of events. The family, who practice a form of Messianic Judaism, has been under scrutiny after their first child contracted diphtheria, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease, which has all but been eradicated in developed countries due to widespread vaccination.

The Madona County Orphans' Court has taken custody of the two infected children since September 20, as their parental rights have been terminated by Olga Elsiņa, the president of the Minors' Court of Madona district. This decision was made due to the parents' actions, which were deemed to endanger their children's lives.

The family's skepticism about vaccines is rooted in a lack of understanding about their composition and religious beliefs. However, the death of their first child has led Lauris, the father, to reconsider his stance. In an interview with LTV's reporter, Lauris admitted that he is now considering "partial vaccination" for his remaining three children.

Lauris and his wife have removed their other children from the Children's Hospital due to losing trust in the doctors. They suspected that the doctors were not telling the whole truth and were trying to hide something. The hospital, however, has been asked to continue treating the children, but they are not yet required to be vaccinated.

The nature of the supposedly secret information was not elaborated upon by Lauris. The family was unsatisfied with an invitation to put the demand in writing, and they wanted other doctors after receiving criticism.

The guardianship court jurisdiction over the two children of the family member "Lauris" who contracted diphtheria in Madona district has been taken over by a designated local guardianship authority or court; specific individual details are not publicly available.

From 2007 to 2023, 122 cases of diphtheria were registered in Latvia, and ten of those who fell ill died. This outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of such diseases.

The Madona County Minors' Court will decide on October 3 whether to return the children to their parents' care. The family's future remains uncertain, but the hope is that they will come to understand the importance of vaccination for the safety and well-being of their children.

In the meantime, the third child is in the care of a grandmother. The family's story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the potential dangers of vaccine hesitancy and the importance of making informed decisions about one's health and the health of one's family.