An outbreak of respiratory diphtheria occurred in two health districts in the province of
KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa in 2015. A multidisciplinary outbreak response team was
involved in the investigation and management of the outbreak. Fifteen cases of diphtheria
were identified, with ages ranging from 4 to 41 years. Of the 12 cases that were under the
age of 18 years, 9 (75%) were not fully immunized for diphtheria. The case fatality was 27%.
Ninety-three household contacts, 981 school or work contacts and 595 healthcare worker …

S. MAHOMED 1*, M. ARCHARY 2, P. MUTEVEDZI 2, 3, Y. MAHABEER 1, 4, P. GOVENDER
2, G., NTSHOE 3, W. KUHN 2, J. THOMAS 3, A. OLOWOLAGBA 5, L. BLUMBERG 3, K.
MCCARTHY 3, 6, K. MLISANA 1, 4, M. DU PLESSIS 3, 7, A. VON GOTTBERG 3, 7 AND P.
MOODLEY 1, 2