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HIGHLIGHTS
„ As of December 17 2023, a cumulative total of 24 940 suspected cases of diphtheria resulting in 787 fatalities have been reported across Nigeria, Guinea, Niger, Mauritania, and South Africa. Nigeria is the most severely affected accounting for 83.1% of cases and 72.4% of deaths.
„ Recent epidemiological trends reveal a notable surge in weekly cases in Guinea, contrasting with a decline observed in the remaining affected countries. The escalating and spreading case numbers in Guinea are a cause for concern, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to effectively address this growing public health challenge. Additionally, Mauritania has not reported any new cases in the past five weeks, and the diphtheria outbreak in Pollsmoor Prison, Western Cape Province, South Africa, has been successfully contained.
„ Over 56% of documented cases are unvaccinated, more than 57% of suspected cases are under the age of 15, and females constitute over 61% of the cases.
„ WHO is actively supporting the affected countries in strengthening response coordination, bolstering testing and case identification, and facilitating the mobilization of appropriate antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) for case treatment. Efforts are also underway to enhance vaccine coverage.
„ Member States are strongly urged to enhance surveillance efforts for vaccine-preventable diseases and actively promote both access to and the uptake of vaccines.