The diphtheriaa vaccine-preventable disease, which has disappeared from most parts of the world, has so far killed at least 10 children and affected 39 children in the province of Sindhmostly in the past 2 months, health officials confirmed Monday Pakistan September 26, 2022.
Pakistan has reported several diphtheria outbreaks in the past which have been attributed to low vaccination rates among children.
Reminders on the diphtheria.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease caused by a Corynebacterium of the complex diphtheriaewhich includes species Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Corynebacterium ulcerans et Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. These three species of bacteria are capable of producing diphtheria toxin. This toxin is essentially responsible for the clinical manifestations.
The mode of transmission is by air during direct contact with patients or healthy carriers through aerosols emitted by coughing and sneezing.
The incubation period for diphtheria is usually 2 to 5 days. The most characteristic symptom of this disease is the presence of whitish “false membranes” in the tonsils or in the wound.
- Diphtheria angina is the usual form of the disease. It is characterized by pharyngitis, fever, neck swelling and headache. In some cases the toxin can lead to paralysis of the central nervous system or of the diaphragm and throat leading to death by asphyxiation.
- There is also a cutaneous form with chronic wounds.
Recommendations for travelers:
Although travelers are not at particular risk of diphtheria infection, national authorities are recommended to remind travelers to areas where outbreaks of diphtheria have occurred that they should be properly vaccinated before travelling, in accordance with the national vaccination program established in each country. In France, primary vaccination is compulsory for children at 2, 4 and 11 months, followed by boosters at 6 years old, 11-13 years old, 25 years old, 45 years old and 65 years old, then every 10 years.
Source : ProMED.