The Return of Diphtheria: A Public Health Concern in Europe
A long-dormant disease is making a comeback. Since 2022, “several European countries have observed an unusual spike in cases,” according to a statement from the Pasteur Institute, following the release of a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Since then, several hundred cases have been reported annually, raising concerns among researchers. The authors of the study warn that “the large number of infections is alarming,” stating that it might be the largest outbreak of diphtheria in Western Europe in 70 years, according to the Pasteur Institute.
Diphtheria is a “highly contagious” disease, as defined by Santé Publique France. It manifests as a severe sore throat and can lead to complications such as cardiac or neurological damage, which could be fatal. The fatality rate can reach 30% among unvaccinated individuals who fail to seek prompt treatment. Young children are particularly at a higher risk of mortality, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Despite the fact that the majority of the population is vaccinated against diphtheria (the vaccine is mandatory for infants), vulnerable populations, particularly migrants and the homeless , are disproportionately affected by this outbreak. This epidemic arises primarily from infections that occurred during migration or in destination countries within Europe, noted the Pasteur Institute.
In Europe, 362 cases were recorded in 2022, with 123 cases reported in 2023, including several dozen in France. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that there has been an “increase in the number of imported cases of diphtheria” in France since 2022. Recent data remains scarce. The Pasteur Institute notes that “the true extent of the epidemic is hard to determine due to screening limitations among these vulnerable populations.”
However, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) aims to reassure the public, stating that “the probability of developing the disease is very low for individuals residing in the community, provided they have received a complete vaccination series against diphtheria and are up to date.” Nevertheless, secondary cases and severe clinical cases of diphtheria remain possible among unvaccinated or immunocompromised individuals.
This situation underscores the importance of vaccination across the general population, highlighting the risks presented by diphtheria particularly among vulnerable groups, such as migrants, the homeless, intravenous drug users, unvaccinated individuals, and the elderly suffering from preexisting health conditions. Isabelle Parent du Chatelêt from Santé Publique France emphasized in a statement that this epidemic demonstrates the need for continued vigilance and widespread immunization efforts.
General News – 2