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Diphtheria--the continuing hazard
I C Bowler1, B K Mandal, B Schlecht
1Regional Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Monsall Hospital, Manchester.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|February 1, 1988
Summary
A severe diphtheria case in an unimmunized child prompted an investigation. This revealed a classmate with cutaneous diphtheria recently returned from Bangladesh, underscoring lesion swabbing during outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Diphtheria remains a concern, particularly in unvaccinated populations.
- Cutaneous diphtheria can be a source of infection.
- International travel can introduce infectious diseases into new areas.
Observation:
- A severe case of diphtheria occurred in a previously unimmunized schoolchild.
- The child had no history of foreign travel.
- An epidemiological investigation linked the case to a classmate with cutaneous diphtheria.
Findings:
- The classmate with cutaneous diphtheria had recently returned from Bangladesh, an area endemic for the disease.
- This epidemiological link suggests a potential transmission route.
- The investigation highlights the importance of thorough outbreak assessments.
Implications:
- Swabbing all skin lesions in individuals returning from endemic areas is crucial during outbreak investigations.
- Early identification and intervention are key to controlling diphtheria spread.
- Maintaining high vaccination rates is essential for preventing severe diphtheria cases.