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Diphtheria

Disease facts

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

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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.

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Surveillance and disease data for diphtheria

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

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Latest updates

Publication

Communicable disease threats report, 1-7 December 2019, week 49

Publication -

Data

Surveillance systems overview for 2018

Table -

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Can economic indicators predict infectious disease spread? A cross-country panel analysis of 13 European countries

Jul 2019

Publication

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

Risk assessment -

Publication

Communicable disease threats report, 1-7 December 2019, week 49

Publication -

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Can economic indicators predict infectious disease spread? A cross-country panel analysis of 13 European countries

Jul 2019

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 -

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 2018

Table -

Data

Surveillance systems overview for 2017

Table -

Data

Surveillance systems overview for 2016

Table -

Data

Surveillance systems overview for 2015

Table -

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.

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