Algeria - Diphtheria outbreak 2025

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Diphtheria in Algeria: One death and complicated cases in Skikda

The Skikda Health Department reported one death from diphtheria and "complicated" cases, and launched a large-scale vaccination campaign.


Rafik Tadjer
|October 16, 2025 8:47 PM


Diphtheria is making a comeback in Algeria. In Skikda, one death from the disease has been recorded, and a number of "complicated" cases , the number of which has not been specified, have been reported, the Health and Population Directorate of this wilaya in the east of the country.

"The symptoms of this disease begin with a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and fatigue. If left untreated, the symptoms worsen, and the patient may develop cardiac and neurological complications that can lead to death," warned the management of the Health Department of the wilaya of Skikda in a statement published on social media this Thursday.

Large-scale vaccination campaign against diphtheria

She points out that vaccination is "considered the most effective method of prevention" of diphtheria, both on a "personal and social level."

In this context, the Health and Population Directorate of this wilaya launched an appeal to all citizens of the wilaya, in particular those residing in the municipalities of Skikda and Felfela, to go to vaccination centers to receive a booster dose for adults and to bring their children to complete their vaccinations in accordance with the expanded national vaccination program.

https://www.tsa-algerie.com/diphterie-en-algerie-un-mort-et-des-cas-compliques-a-skikda/

 

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Algeria: 2025 Diphtheria

Source: https://barlamantoday.com/2025/10/20/two-dead-as-diphtheria-outbreak-reported-in-eastern-algeria/


Two Dead as Diphtheria Outbreak Reported in Eastern Algeria
By Mohamed Boutakrint
October 20, 2025
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Health authorities in Algeria’s Skikda province has confirmed an outbreak of diphtheria that has killed two people and infected several others, local media reported.

The victims include a 25-year-old foreign man and a 12-year-old girl who had not been vaccinated against the disease. Officials also confirmed five additional cases in two local clusters located in the municipalities of Skikda and Filfila.​..

 

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‎Ministère de la santé Algérie وزارة الصحة الجزائر‎'s Post​

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Ministry of Health Algeria
2d ·

Statement

The Ministry of Health announces the registration of five (05) confirmed cases of diphtheria in the state of Skikda, including two deaths, a man of foreign nationality, aged 25 years, and a girl aged 12 years who was not vaccinated against this disease.

Immediately after these cases were recorded, a crisis cell was formed at the Skikda Health and Population Directorate to closely monitor the development of the epidemiological situation and take all necessary preventive and hospital measures in coordination with local authorities.

The competent health authorities have initiated thorough epidemiological investigations into the recorded cases, including those in contact with the cases. They were subjected to preventive treatment (chimioprophylaxis) in addition to being vaccinated against diphtheria, in order to prevent the spread of infection and avoid the emergence of new cases.

In this context, 514 people were vaccinated over the past 48 hours, as part of a preemptive vaccination campaign overseen by local health teams under the supervision of the provincial crisis cell.

The Ministry of Health confirms that the situation is stable, and that field monitoring continues on a daily, meticulous basis, through enhanced epidemiological surveillance activities across all health facilities in the state, in addition to treating recorded cases according to established treatment protocols.

The Ministry also calls on all citizens to adhere to the vaccination schedule, stressing that vaccination remains the most effective and appropriate means of preventing diphtheria and various infectious diseases, and that vaccines are available through various health facilities.

The Ministry of Health reiterates that it is closely monitoring developments in the health situation in Skikda province and remains mobilized to ensure the safety of citizens and protect public health. It is also working to launch an awareness campaign on the importance of vaccination and prevention of infectious diseases.

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https://www.facebook.com/SanteDZA/posts/pfbid02iQJmSGUnM2xWzACKhDf6NX29MAXLXvvgT8doUz3LctQ v4LVqp9E6px2mhRstY7Utl

 

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Diphtheria - African Region (AFRO)

21 November 2025
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Summary of individual country situations from 1 January to 2 November 2025

Algeria

Algeria reported a diphtheria outbreak in October 2025 in Skikda province, with 13 suspected cases and two deaths (CFR 15%). Eight of the suspected cases were laboratory-confirmed, and none of the confirmed cases had received diphtheria vaccination. The outbreak affected both children and adults, with males accounting for 62.5% of confirmed cases. A previous outbreak in southern Algeria, reported in 2024, involved over 900 suspected cases and 119 deaths (CFR 13%). According to WHO/UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC) for 2024, Algeria has high national immunization coverage (98% for the first Diphtheria-Tetanus toxoid-Pertussis [DTP] dose and 92% for the third), however geopolitical instability in neighboring countries has led to mass displacement into southern Algeria, where vaccination coverage among refugees is low. The lack of data since May 2025 and limited information sharing are key challenges to assessing the full scope of the outbreak.
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https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/DON588