Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/health...rica-amid-falling-vaccination-rates-who-warns
Diphtheria re-emerges in Africa amid falling vaccination rates, WHO warns
By Charity Kilei
Saturday, January 24, 2026
The bacteria produce a potent toxin that damages healthy tissue and can spread through the bloodstream to other organs. The disease is highly contagious, spreading easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or close contact.
Diphtheria, once largely controlled through vaccination, is making a worrying comeback in parts of Africa, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports.
The highly contagious bacterial disease is exploiting immunity gaps caused by missed childhood vaccines, disrupted health services, and fragile health systems...
... Between January 1 and November 2, 2025, the WHO African Region recorded 20,412 suspected diphtheria cases and 1,252 deaths across eight countries—Algeria, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and South Africa. Children and young adults are among the most affected.
The average case fatality rate is about 6 per cent, but without treatment, diphtheria can kill up to 30 per cent of unvaccinated patients.
Nigeria bears the heaviest burden, reporting 12,150 suspected cases, 8,587 confirmed infections, and 884 deaths during the same period. Limited laboratory capacity and shortages of essential supplies like diphtheria antitoxin make outbreak response challenging.
Severe complications of diphtheria include heart inflammation, nerve damage, and kidney failure. Prompt treatment with antitoxin and antibiotics can prevent serious complications and save lives...
Diphtheria re-emerges in Africa amid falling vaccination rates, WHO warns
By Charity Kilei
Saturday, January 24, 2026
The bacteria produce a potent toxin that damages healthy tissue and can spread through the bloodstream to other organs. The disease is highly contagious, spreading easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or close contact.
Diphtheria, once largely controlled through vaccination, is making a worrying comeback in parts of Africa, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports.
The highly contagious bacterial disease is exploiting immunity gaps caused by missed childhood vaccines, disrupted health services, and fragile health systems...
... Between January 1 and November 2, 2025, the WHO African Region recorded 20,412 suspected diphtheria cases and 1,252 deaths across eight countries—Algeria, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and South Africa. Children and young adults are among the most affected.
The average case fatality rate is about 6 per cent, but without treatment, diphtheria can kill up to 30 per cent of unvaccinated patients.
Nigeria bears the heaviest burden, reporting 12,150 suspected cases, 8,587 confirmed infections, and 884 deaths during the same period. Limited laboratory capacity and shortages of essential supplies like diphtheria antitoxin make outbreak response challenging.
Severe complications of diphtheria include heart inflammation, nerve damage, and kidney failure. Prompt treatment with antitoxin and antibiotics can prevent serious complications and save lives...