1. Home
  2. All topics: A to Z
  3. Diphtheria

Diphtheria

Disease facts

Diphtheria is a disease caused by bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans.

Read the factsheet

Gap analysis on diphtheria diagnostic capacity

There are significant gaps in diphtheria diagnostic capacity within the EU/EEA, with only six Member States fulfilling the minimum criteria in terms of surveillance, specialised laboratory diagnostics and expertise.

Read the report

Surveillance and disease data for diphtheria

Get the latest surveillance data on diphtheria from EU and EEA countries.

Get the data

Latest updates

Publication

Rapid risk assessment: Public health risks related to communicable diseases during the hajj 2019, Saudi Arabia, 9–14 August 2019

Risk assessment -

Publication

Diphtheria - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2017

Surveillance report -

Data

Surveillance systems overview for 2017

Table -

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Vaccination of 50+ adults to promote healthy ageing in Europe: The way forward

Sep 2018

Publication

Rapid risk assessment: Public health risks related to communicable diseases during the hajj 2019, Saudi Arabia, 9–14 August 2019

Risk assessment -

Publication

Diphtheria - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2017

Surveillance report -

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Vaccination of 50+ adults to promote healthy ageing in Europe: The way forward

Sep 2018

Publication

Diphtheria - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2016

Surveillance report -

News

Diphtheria outbreaks in Yemen and Venezuela

News -

News

ECDC survey shows gaps in diphtheria diagnostic capacity across Europe

News -

News

Immunity to tetanus and diphtheria in the UK in 2009.Archived

ECDC comment -

News

Risk of febrile seizures and epilepsy after vaccination with diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus, and Haemophilus influenzae type BArchived

ECDC comment -
Mar 2011

Event

First annual meeting of the European Diphtheria Surveillance NetworkArchived

17 Mar 2011
ECDC premises, Stockholm

Data

Surveillance systems overview for 2017

Table -

Data

Surveillance systems overview for 2016

Table -

Data

Surveillance systems overview for 2015

Table -

Data

Figure 1. Number of reported diphtheria cases, EU/EEA, 2014

Map -

Threats and outbreaks

Disease threats and outbreaks reports; Risk assessments, Communicable disease threats report.

Surveillance and disease data

ECDC’s annual epidemiological reports provide a wealth of epidemiological data to support decision-making at the national level.

Scientific advice

Systematic reviews, expert opinions and public health guidance on diphtheria

Microbiology

ECDC encourages adoption of EU and ISO quality standards for diagnostic and reference laboratory services by its partners in EU laboratory networks and in line with national arrangements and regulations.

Prevention and control

An effective vaccine is available against diphtheria and mass immunisation has led to the reduction in the number of cases in Europe.

Facts

Diphtheria is an acute disease caused by toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae (in some cases also by Corynebacterium ulcerans) bacteria, that is known to colonise mucous membranes.

Featured content

Related content

Vaccine-preventable diseases

2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic

Disease / public health area

Cholera

Disease / public health area

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS)

Disease / public health area

Hepatitis B

Disease / public health area

Human papillomavirus

Disease programmes and networks

European Diphtheria Surveillance Network (EDSN)

EUVAC.Net

Vaccine-preventable Diseases Programme