Diphtheria outbreaks/ Comprehensive guidance for the public health preparedness and response in the WHO African Region
The WHO African Region is grappling with a resurgence of diphtheria, a rare and deadly disease, with five active outbreaks currently ongoing in Guinea, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and South Africa. Angola, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mali, Somalia and South Sudan have been identified as the most vulnerable countries to the disease, raising concerns about potential disease transmission. Despite significant progress in access to health care, many Member States have historically had insufficient vaccination coverage against diphtheria, which was further reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO aims to understand the risks of other Member States and prioritize outbreak-preventive measures.
