The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has urged citizens to check their children’s vaccination status due to a rise in diphtheria cases in the country.
Since the beginning of 2025, diphtheria CASES has been confirmed in 40 people in South Africa. Of these cases, 19 exhibited symptoms, while 21 were asymptomatic.
“These asymptomatic individuals were carriers identified
during contact tracing,” the statement read.
According to data from the NICD, there were 15 reported
cases of respiratory diphtheria in the Western Cape, two cases in Gauteng,
three cases in Mpumalanga, and one probable case in Limpopo. Laboratory tests
did not confirm the case from Limpopo, but the person exhibited symptoms
consistent with respiratory diphtheria.
The NICD said over 78% of the cases have occurred in adults
aged 18 and older.
Among the symptomatic cases, the public health institute said
it was important to note that nine people have died, resulting in a case
fatality rate of 27% (nine out of 33 cases) since the beginning of 2024.
“Adults who have not had a diphtheria vaccine in the last
10 years are urged to seek vaccination at a clinic or with their usual
healthcare provider. Pregnant women are advised to get the vaccine with each
pregnancy to protect the baby from diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.”
Diphtheria is a contagious, severe, vaccine-preventable
illness usually associated with a sore throat, fever, and large, swollen glands
in the neck. The NICD said this illness is sometimes called a “bull neck”, and
on examining a patient, the doctor will see a characteristic adherent membrane
over the tonsils and the throat, also known as a “pseudomembrane”.
“If not treated early, the public health institute said
diphtheria causes difficulty in breathing and can lead to complete blockage of
the airway and death. The organism also produces a toxin that affects the heart
muscle, kidneys, and nervous system, leading to life-threatening illness.”
The NICD is encouraging doctors and healthcare workers to be on high alert for suspected diphtheria cases and are urged to report cases on the Notifiable Medical Condition app or the NICD website.
The NICD said the best protection against diphtheria is
vaccination.
Done By: Mitchum George
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