Diphtheria in Thailand in the 1990s

Diphtheria remains endemic in developing countries, but there are limited published data on the subject. Thailand's diphtheria surveillance data are relatively complete and may give a fuller picture of the situation in similar countries. After routine immunization began in 1977, the incidence of reported diphtheria decreased by >98% to <0.1 case per 100,000 persons annually in the 1990s. Despite infant immunization coverage of >90%, diphtheria cases were reported throughout the 1990s, primarily among children <15 years old. Outbreaks were linked to both persistent endemic circulation and to importation of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae; suboptimal immunization coverage in minority and disadvantaged groups contributed. A serologic survey found 25% of adults 20-39 years old and 14% of adolescents 10-19 years old lacked immunity to diphtheria; these data indicate an accumulation of susceptible adolescents and adults. Diphtheria remains a threat in Thailand; improvements in diphtheria control will depend on improving childhood immunization coverage in Thailand and the surrounding region.