Venezuela: Diphtheria outbreaks in 17 states

Event

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported outbreaks of diphtheria in 17 Venezuelan states as of mid-November. More than 500 suspected cases were reported in the first ten months of the year - in addition to several hundred others reported in late 2016 - in what the WHO is calling an epidemic. At least seven deaths have been reported. Affected states include Bolívar, Delta Amacuro, Monagas, Sucre, Anzoátegui, Amazonas, Aragua, Miranda, Mérida, and Carabobo.

Context

These outbreaks come amid a multi-front crisis in Venezuela, with major shortages of medications and medical supplies (as well as of food and other necessities), among various other issues. Approximately 85 percent of all medications are currently unavailable in the country. Until 2016, the disease had been eradicated in Venezuela for decades.

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. A vaccine exists for this potentially fatal disease.

Advice

Individuals considering travel to Venezuela are advised to confirm vaccinations are up to date and to bring with them any medications they might need throughout the duration of their stay; travelers are similarly advised to take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance, covering emergency evacuation.