PARIS, Oct. 6 (Benin News) –
The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) has warned of an increase in diphtheria cases among migrants in Europe, while stating that the risk of infection in the general population is “very low”.
As of September 26, 2022, 92 cases of diphtheria in migrants, including one fatal case, have been reported in Austria, Germany, United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, France and Switzerland. All the cases are men, mostly from Asia and Africa, and most of them were diagnosed in migrant reception centres.
Given the estimated high coverage of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccination in European Union countries, ranging from 91% to 99% for the first dose (DTP1), three doses for one complete cycle of vaccination, and 85% to 99% for the third dose (DTP3), the probability that people living in communities develop the disease is very low.
However, the possibility of secondary infections in the community cannot be excluded and severe clinical diphtheria is possible in unvaccinated or immunocompromised individuals. For people residing, working or volunteering in migrant centres, there is a moderate likelihood of exposure to diphtheria bacteria.
Exposed, unvaccinated, or immunocompromised individuals may face a serious outcome following diphtheria infection.
However, the impact of disease for people with a full diphtheria vaccination schedule is considered low.
To limit the spread of the disease, the agency called on countries to implement early detection, prevention and treatment measures. To this end, they should verify the diphtheria vaccination status of newly arrived immigrants and provide diphtheria boosters or the full course of diphtheria vaccination if necessary.
In addition, it is necessary to isolate confirmed or suspected cases of respiratory diphtheria and apply contact precautions for confirmed or suspected cases of cutaneous diphtheria; as well as providing information and instructions to doctors, health professionals in migrant centers and travelers returning from endemic areas for the rapid identification and isolation of possible cases, sampling and testing.
Other measures include ensuring that all staff working in migrant reception centers have up-to-date vaccination records; to identify, test and monitor close contacts; to provide antibiotic prophylaxis and vaccination to close contacts; and to inquire regarding migratory routes, periods of residence in migrant camps or overcrowded housing where diphtheria transmission may have occurred.
