Health authorities in South Africa have confirmed an outbreak of respiratory diphtheria in the Western Cape province. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), 18 laboratory-confirmed cases and three asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae were identified between 29 December 2025 and 12 April 2026. All individuals are from the Western Cape.
The NICD's latest surveillance report, dated for epidemiological week 15 of 2026, indicates that the cases were detected through laboratory-based surveillance. Public health responses, including contact tracing and the provision of post-exposure prophylaxis, are underway to contain the spread of the bacterial infection.
Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease. The South African health department has emphasized the importance of routine childhood vaccination, which includes protection against diphtheria, and is urging parents to ensure their children's immunizations are up to date.
