South Africa Reports 39 Diphtheria Cases Since December

South Africa has confirmed 39 cases of respiratory diphtheria and identified 10 asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae between December 29, 2025 and September 13, 2026, according to the latest situational report.

The Western Cape accounted for 33 of the confirmed cases, or 85 percent of the total, followed by Limpopo with four cases and Gauteng with two.

Eight of the 10 asymptomatic carriers were identified in the Western Cape, while the remaining two were reported in Limpopo. Five additional probable cases have been reported from Limpopo.

The latest update, covering developments since week 36 of 2026, records one new laboratory-confirmed case in the Western Cape. No new asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic C. diphtheriae were reported during the period.

Public health measures have been initiated for all suspected and confirmed cases, including treatment, contact tracing and preventive treatment for contacts where appropriate.

Respiratory diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease caused primarily by toxigenic C. diphtheriae. It can affect people of all ages and can cause serious complications when the bacterial toxin enters the bloodstream.

Common symptoms include a sore throat and low-grade fever, often accompanied by a greyish-white membrane that adheres firmly to tissues in the nose, throat, tonsils or larynx. Some patients can develop swelling of the glands in the neck, sometimes referred to as a "bull neck".

Severe disease can cause toxin-related complications including inflammation of the heart muscle, nerve damage and kidney injury.

Health authorities advise clinicians to begin treatment, contact tracing and preventive measures before laboratory confirmation when there is a strong clinical suspicion of diphtheria. Treatment includes antibiotics such as azithromycin or penicillin to clear the bacteria and reduce transmission, as well as diphtheria antitoxin to neutralise toxin that has not yet bound to tissues.

Early administration of diphtheria antitoxin can be critical in severe or suspected cases. Supportive treatment may include oxygen, cardiac monitoring and measures to maintain the airway, including intubation or a tracheostomy when required.

Source: FSX Business News