Related to Shiloh's post above
Translation Google
Two cases of diphtheria confirmed in Ceuta, one of them in a Moroccan minor
A 27-year-old woman from the CETI (Temporary Immigrant Detention Center), who was previously at the Hípica (Equestrian Center), and a minor from one of the centers managed by the SAMU (Emergency Medical Service) have tested positive for Corynebacterium diphtheriae in cultures, and their samples will be sent to Madrid to analyze the virulence of the bacteria.
By Diego Naranjo 15/10/2026 - 15:25
The University Hospital of Ceuta has admitted two patients with confirmed cases of diphtheria , after cultures detected the growth of Corynebacterium diphtheriae (gram-positive, facultative anaerobic and non-spore-forming bacteria that causes diphtheria), the bacteria responsible for this infectious disease.
The results of the analyses will allow progress in characterizing the cases and determining the next steps from a health perspective.
One of the cases corresponds to a 27-year-old woman residing at the Temporary Immigrant Stay Center (CETI) , who was previously at the Equestrian Center facilities.
The woman was one of those transferred when places became available at the CETI.
The second person affected is a minor who was at the SAMU Giralda center . According to information gathered by this newspaper, there is no apparent link between the two patients, so it remains to be determined whether the two cases have any epidemiological connection.
In the case of the child, it is a cutaneous diphtheria , caused by an open wound after a fall that has become infected with a bacterium that is a variant of diphtheria.
The young man was admitted to the hospital and contact tracing was also carried out, as in the case of the affected woman.
The cultures confirm the presence of the bacteria
Clinical samples from both patients have been subjected to microbiological analysis, and in both cases, the growth of Corynebacterium diphtheriae was observed . This result has allowed for the identification of the bacteria, although further studies are still needed to determine its characteristics.
These samples will be sent to Madrid to analyze the virulence of the bacteria , a crucial factor in establishing public health guidelines. The results of these tests will determine whether the detected strains exhibit characteristics that could alter the necessary measures.
The confirmation of the two cases places the focus on epidemiological surveillance and patient monitoring. At present, the available information does not allow for establishing a link between the two individuals or determining the origin of the infections.
Other infectious diseases detected in Ceuta
The emergence of these cases comes amid growing concern over the detection of various infectious diseases in Ceuta in recent months. Following the mass influx of migrants at the end of July, several incidents have been reported requiring attention and monitoring by health services.
Among the reported illnesses are monkeypox , tuberculosis, chickenpox, and scabies , diseases that have different transmission routes and require specific actions depending on the situation. There have also been cases of hepatitis. In mid-September, the first case of monkeypox in the city was reported.
The detection of these diseases reinforces the importance of epidemiological surveillance, diagnosis, and the application of the corresponding health protocols . In the case of diphtheria, it will be necessary to know the results of the virulence tests to determine the appropriate measures regarding the two confirmed patients.
Una mujer de 27 años del CETI, que antes estaba en la Hípica, y un menor de uno de los centros que gestiona el SAMU han dado positivo en los cultivos de Corynebacterium diphtheriae y sus muestras se enviarán a Madrid para analizar la virulencia de la bacteria
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