Haiti is currently experiencing a return of diphtheria due to lack of vaccination of children, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) / World Health Organization (WHO)

During the first 7 months of this year, 72 probable cases of diphtheria have been reported (60% of cases are girls or women). 74% of the cases were children under 10 years old.

22 cases were confirmed in the laboratory, of which 3 died (a mortality rate of 13.6%). Immunization status is unknown for 54.5% of confirmed cases; 18% were vaccinated and 27% were not vaccinated. The confirmed cases come from four departments: Artibonite, Center, West and Southeast.

Learn more about Diphtheria :

It is an infectious disease due to 3 bacterial species capable of producing diphtheria toxin. The bacterium is transmitted by air, specifically via aerosols emitted during a cough or sneezing during direct contact with a patient or asymptomatic carrier.

The incubation period is usually 2 to 5 days. The most characteristic symptom of this disease is the presence of whitish "false membranes" in the tonsils (diphtheria) or in the wound (cutaneous diphtheria). Diphtheria angina is the usual form of the disease. It is characterized by pharyngitis, fever, swelling of the neck and headache. In some cases, the toxin can lead to paralysis of the central nervous system or the diaphragm and throat, resulting in death by asphyxiation.

Treatment of Diphtheria consists of immediate administration of anti-diphtheria serum by intramuscular injection and antibiotics.

The vaccine is the only way to be protected against diphtheria because there is no natural immunity. The vaccines against diphtheria are effective and well tolerated.

HL/ HaitiLibre