Wait, diphtheria outbreaks?
We are still having diphtheria outbreaks?!?
Remembering Diphtheria
Tragically, even though a diphtheria vaccine has been available for over 100 years, diphtheria is once again a big killer around the world.
This is the same diphtheria bacteria that can make a toxin that kills respiratory tissue, forming a pseudomembrane that can cover a child’s nose and throat. A pseudomembrane that makes it hard to breath and swallow, which is why respiratory diphtheria is so deadly.
Diphtheria can also cause a less severe skin infection.
Where Are the Latest Diphtheria Outbreaks?
But diphtheria, which is also known as “the Strangling Angel,” more often causes deadly respiratory outbreaks and epidemics.
“It had been over 30 years since the last case of diphtheria was seen in Guinea. So when patients began showing up six months ago with what looked like flu symptoms — fever, cough and sore throat – doctors weren’t alarmed. Until the children started dying.
That’s when they realized that this longtime scourge, long quashed by vaccination, was back.”
Why diphtheria is making a comeback
Yes, even in the post-vaccine era we are still seeing outbreaks of diphtheria.
“As of 14 January, 2024, a cumulative total of 27 991 suspected cases of diphtheria resulting in 828 fatalities have been reported across Nigeria, Guinea, Niger, Mauritania, and South Africa. Nigeria is the most severely affected, accounting for 80.1% of cases and 72 % of deaths.”
WHO African Region Health Emergency Situation Report – Multi-country Outbreak of Diphtheria, Consolidated Regional Situation Report # 006 – As of January 14, 2024
Diphtheria outbreaks in which most cases and deaths are unvaccinated children.
“There is also a particular risk from travel to countries where diphtheria remains more common, including Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, states of the former Soviet Union and eastern European countries.”
Diphtheria is back in Australia, here’s why – and how vaccines can prevent its spread
Diphtheria outbreaks with a case fatality rate, thanks to early treatment, of “only” 4.1%. Keep in mind that without treatment, up to 40% of children with diphtheria die!
Diphtheria outbreaks that highlight what happens when vaccination rates drop…
Diphtheria outbreaks that we can stop if we get more folks vaccinated and protected.
“Yet recent diphtheria outbreaks in Europe, and several regions of Pakistan, have highlighted how even seemingly obsolete diseases can make a comeback, given the right opportunity.”
Why diphtheria presents a growing threat to our health
Disease outbreaks that will spread to other areas if we don’t!
More on the Latest Diphtheria Outbreaks
- When Was the Last Case of Diphtheria?
- How Do You Remember Vaccine Preventable Diseases?
- We Know What Happens If We Stop Vaccinating
- Grave Reminders of Life Before Vaccines
- Disappearing Diseases
- WHO African Region Health Emergency Situation Report – Multi-country Outbreak of Diphtheria, Consolidated Regional Situation Report # 006 – As of January 14, 2024
- Diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria
- Diphtheria Outbreak in Africa: Strengthening Response Capacities
- Disease Outbreak News – Diphtheria – Nigeria
- Diphtheria is back in Australia, here’s why – and how vaccines can prevent its spread
- FACTSHEET: Vaccination gaps to blame as Nigeria battles surge in diphtheria
- Why diphtheria is making a comeback
- History of Diphtheria
- Why diphtheria presents a growing threat to our health
- Epidemiological update: Diphtheria cases in Europe
- The rising cases of diphtheria in Pakistan: A new epidemic boiling?
- Fatal case of diphtheria in an unvaccinated infant in Finland
- Two children diagnosed with first cases of diphtheria of the throat in NSW this century
Last Updated on May 7, 2024