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Epidemic diphtheria in Belarus, 1992-1997.
V P Filonov1, D F Zakharenko, C R Vitek
1Office of the Deputy Director, Ministry of Health, Minsk, Belarus.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|February 5, 2000
Summary
Epidemic diphtheria outbreaks can be rapidly controlled through comprehensive vaccination campaigns. Achieving high immunization coverage in both children and adults is crucial for preventing widespread diphtheria cases and fatalities.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Diphtheria reemerged in Russia in 1990 and spread to Belarus in 1992, leading to a significant epidemic.
- Diphtheria cases in Belarus doubled annually from 1993 to 1994, peaking in 1995 with 322 reported cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of vaccination strategies on controlling a diphtheria epidemic.
- To determine the necessary population immunity levels for diphtheria epidemic control.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of intensified routine immunization for young children.
- Mass vaccination campaigns targeting older children and adults were conducted in 1995 and 1996.
- Monitoring of diphtheria case numbers and fatality rates before and after vaccination interventions.
Main Results:
- Full immunization of over 95% of children and coverage of more than 87% of adults with at least one dose led to a rapid decline in diphtheria cases by the end of 1996.
- Diphtheria cases dropped to 36 in 1998.
- Over 70% of reported cases (965) and 26 fatalities between 1990-1998 occurred in individuals over 14 years of age.
Conclusions:
- High levels of population-wide immunity are essential for the rapid control of diphtheria epidemics in the current vaccine era.
- Vaccination strategies targeting all age groups are effective in curbing diphtheria outbreaks.