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.
Recent epidemiological trends reveal a notable surge in weekly cases in Guinea, with more than 200 suspected cases per week and geographical expansion, contrasting with a decline observed in the remaining affected countries. The escalating and spreading case numbers in Guinea make the situation concerning, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to effectively address this growing public health challenge. Additionally, Mauritania has not reported any new cases since Epidemiological Week 44/2023, and the diphtheria outbreak in Pollsmoor Prison,
Western Cape Province, South Africa, has been successfully contained. The South African NICD laboratory recently identified toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in samples from Cameroon.
Only 24% of documented cases are fully vaccinated, more than 70% of suspected cases are under the age of 15, and females constitute over 61% of the cases.
WHO is actively supporting the affected countries in strengthening response coordination, bolstering testing and case identification, and facilitating the mobilization of appropriate antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) for case treatment. Efforts are also underway to enhance vaccine coverage.
Member States are strongly urged to enhance surveillance efforts for vaccine-preventable diseases and actively promote both access to and the uptake of vaccines.
