Haiti: 72 diphtheria cases (three fatalities) so far in 2017

Event

At least 72 probable cases of diphtheria have been reported this year in Haiti as of August 24. Twenty-two cases have been confirmed by authorities, along with three deaths from the disease. The reported cases came from the Artibonite, Centre, Ouest, and Sud Est departments.

Context

Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria, which primarily infects the throat and upper airways and produces a toxin affecting other organs. The illness has an acute onset and the main characteristics are sore throat, low-grade fever, and swollen glands in the neck; the toxin may, in severe cases, cause myocarditis or peripheral neuropathy. The disease is spread through direct physical human contact or from breathing in the aerosolized secretions from coughs or sneezes of infected individuals.

Advice

Individuals present in Haiti are advised to seek medical attention if experiencing any of the abovementioned symptoms.