As of January 14, 2024, a total of 27,991 suspected diphtheria cases and 828 deaths have been reported across Nigeria, Guinea, Niger, Mauritania and South Africa. Nigeria is the worst-hit country, accounting for 80.1% of cases and 72% of deaths.
Recent epidemiological trends reveal a significant spike in weekly cases in Guinea, with more than 200 suspected cases occurring each week, in contrast to the decline observed in the remaining affected countries. Expanding geographically. The increase and spread of infections in Guinea creates a worrying situation and highlights the need for a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to effectively address this growing public health challenge. . Furthermore, Mauritania has not reported any new cases since the 44th Epidemiological Week of 2023 and the diphtheria outbreak at Pollsmoor Prison.
South Africa's Western Cape province has achieved successful containment. South Africa's NICD laboratory recently identified toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in samples from Cameroon.
Only 24% of recorded cases have been fully vaccinated, more than 70% of suspected cases are under the age of 15, and women account for more than 61% of cases.
WHO is proactively encouraging affected countries to strengthen response coordination, strengthen testing and case identification, and facilitate the mobilization of appropriate antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) for case treatment. I am supporting. Efforts are also underway to expand vaccination coverage.
Member States are urged to strengthen surveillance efforts against vaccine-preventable diseases and actively promote both vaccine access and uptake.
