Europe officials report increase in diphtheria cases in migrants

European health (https://bit.ly/3CUzP7E) authorities are reporting
an increase in diphtheria cases through September this year.
As of 26 September 2022, 92 cases of diphtheria among migrants,
including a fatal one, have been reported this year by seven European
countries - Austria, Germany, United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium,
France and Switzerland. All cases are males, mainly from Asia and
Africa, and most of them have been diagnosed in reception centres
for migrants.
During the five-year period of 2016-2020, 69 C. diphtheriae cases
were classified as imported in eleven EU/EEA countries (an average
of 14 imported C. diphtheriae cases per year), and of these,
46 presented with a cutaneous disease.
The increase could be explained by an increased volume of migrants
from diphtheria-endemic countries, by an increased circulation
of the pathogen in the countries of origin, or by an increased risk
of transmission in specific settings such as migrant reception
centres.
Health officials say he risk for individuals in the broader community
of contracting diphtheria is very low, provided they have completed
their diphtheria vaccination schedule.
Given the estimated high diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP)
immunization coverage in the EU/EEA countries, ranging from 91%
to 99% for the first dose (DTP1), out of three doses for a full
vaccination course, and from 85% to 99% for the third dose (DTP3),
the probability of individuals residing in the community to develop
the disease is very low.
Diphtheria is a disease caused by bacteria. It can assume respiratory
or non-respiratory forms and may affect various parts of the body,
including the skin. People infected with the diphtheria bacteria may
have no symptoms, but they carry the bacteria and are able to infect
others. Diphtheria is caught by coming into contact with droplets
from the respiratory tract of an infected person - particularly
spread by coughing or sneezing. If the disease affects the skin,
it can be spread by coming into contact with the wounds or lesions
of an infected person.
Successful treatment of diphtheria involves a rapid administration
of diphtheria antitoxin equine (DAT) in combination with antibiotic
treatment. https://youtu.be/b0DyKuLgtgs