Diphtheria in Africa

Since the beginning of the year and through April 20, 8,124 total diphtheria cases have been reported from five African Union Member States (AU/MS).

Nearly seven out of 10 cases have been reported in Nigeria (5,642 total cases. Other AU/MS countries reporting cases include Guinea (1508), Niger (746), Chad (222) and Gabon (6).

Nigeria also leads in fatalities due to diphtheria (68) out of the total 109 deaths.

25 percent of the cases were fully vaccinated against diphtheria.

In 2023, 27,346 total cases were reported from six countries, including 797 deaths.

Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria that make a toxin. The toxin can cause people to get very sick. Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing. People can also get sick from touching open sores or ulcers of people sick with diphtheria.

When the bacteria get into the respiratory system they can cause sore throat, mild fever, and swollen glands in the neck. The bacteria make a toxin that kills healthy tissues in the respiratory system and can make it difficult to breathe and swallow. The toxin can also cause heart, nerve, and kidney problems if it enters the bloodstream. Skin infections caused by C. diphtheriae typically consist of shallow ulcers (sores) and do not result in severe disease.

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For some people, respiratory diphtheria can lead to death. Even with treatment, about 1 in 10 patients with respiratory diphtheria die. Without treatment, up to half of patients can die from the disease.

If you are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated against diphtheria and may have been exposed, it is important to start treatment, with antitoxin and antibiotics, as soon as possible.