Diphtheria outbreaks in Mauritania and South Africa
Mauritania
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Mauritanian Ministry of Health (MOH) reported suspected cases of diphtheria in mid-Oc tober. The first case had onset of symptoms on 8 October 2023.
Through November 11, the MOH has reported a cumulative 20 suspected diphtheria cases, including five deaths from Bassiknou district.
According to officials, of all the cases, 6% of the cases were fully vaccinated against diphtheria.
The MOH activated an emergency operations center (EOC) and deployed a rapid response team (RRT) to conduct active case search, case management and community sensitization.
South Africa
South Africa’s Department of Health reported 11 new diphtheria cases (9 confirmed and 2 suspected) and one new death among inmates at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre in Western Cape province.
The age of the patients range from 18 to 23. The vaccination status was not provided.
Cumulatively, 13 total diphtheria cases have been reported in KwaZulu Natal (1) and Western Cape (12).
Earlier in the year, two laboratory-confirmed cases of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae disease were in identified in April 2023. One was in the Western Cape in a child and the other in an adult in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Western Cape Department of Health Disease Outbreak Team working together with the Department of Correctional Services, have embarked on a vaccination campaign in the affected section of the correctional centre.
Diphtheria is an uncommon, but vaccine preventable serious infection caused by a toxin producing bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheria. The toxin may lead to difficulty in breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death. The bacteria spreads from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
The symptoms of diphtheria include sore throat (with the formation of a membrane on the tonsil and throat), and swollen glands in the front of the neck. Close contacts of known cases are at increased risk of infection. Routine diphtheria vaccination is part of the childhood vaccine programme and parents are encouraged to get their children vaccinated. Health care workers are urged to maintain a high index of suspicion in order to ensure that cases are detected early, whilst all individuals are reminded of the importance of ensuring that they and their families are up-to-date with their vaccinations.
In South Africa, diphtheria-containing vaccine is offered to all children free of charge in public sector facilities at 6, 10 and 14 weeks and 18 months (as one component of the hexavalent vaccine). Booster doses are offered at 6 and 12 years, and to all Grade 5 learners in public schools during the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign.