The Ministry of Health in Guinea officially alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) on September 5, 2023, about the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in the Kankan region. The situation has intensified since its onset on July 4, with alarming statistics.

As of October 13, 2023, a total of 538 diphtheria cases have been reported in the Kankan region, with 18 of them being confirmed cases. Tragically, the outbreak has claimed the lives of 58 individuals, with 13 of these fatalities occurring among the confirmed cases. The overall case fatality rate (CFR) among all cases stands at 11%.

In response to the outbreak, health authorities have been closely monitoring 461 contacts associated with the affected individuals to prevent further transmission. Notably, a majority of the reported cases, approximately 62%, are female.

The age distribution of the cases reveals that the 1-4 years age group is the hardest hit, accounting for a staggering 82% of the reported cases, with 445 individuals affected. The 5-9 years age group represents 5% of cases, while the 10 years and above age group makes up another 5%. Even more concerning is that 7% of the reported cases involve children under 12 months of age.

A significant factor contributing to the outbreak is the absence of vaccination among the 538 reported cases, underscoring the importance of immunization programs in preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases.

The diphtheria outbreak in Guinea has prompted urgent measures to control its spread and prevent further loss of life. Health authorities are working diligently to provide medical care to those affected and to ensure that comprehensive vaccination campaigns are carried out to protect vulnerable populations.

The situation continues to be closely monitored by the Ministry of Health in Guinea and international health organizations like the WHO, with efforts focused on halting the outbreak and preventing its escalation.