Healthcare Alerts | Infectious Diseases | Marburg Disease
Diphtheria Surge - NICD Urges Clinicians to Stay Alert
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Alert notification: 21 January 2025
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has issued an alert as cases of respiratory diphtheria have increased particularly in the Western Cape.
Below follows a summary of the NCID Outbreak Details
From 1 January 2024 to 15 January 2025, toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae) was detected in 40 individuals nationwide.
Of these, 20 had respiratory diphtheria, and 20 were identified as asymptomatic carriers during contact tracing. The median age of those with respiratory diphtheria was 22 years, ranging from 4 to 41 years (70% were over 18), and tragically, 5 out of 20 (25%) individuals died.
The majority of cases, 37 out of 40 (92%), were located in the Western Cape, with 18 respiratory diphtheria cases and 19 asymptomatic carriers.
In the first half of 2024, two respiratory diphtheria cases were reported: one from KwaZulu-Natal and one from the Western Cape.
From week 31 (starting 29 July 2024) to week 37 (starting 9 September 2024), a cluster of three respiratory diphtheria cases and seven asymptomatic contacts testing positive for toxigenic C. diphtheriae was reported in a community in the Western Sub-District of Cape Town. This was followed by two additional sporadic cases in Cape Town, unrelated to the cluster.
Since week 46 (starting 11 November 2024), a notable surge in diphtheria cases has been observed in the Western Cape, with 12 respiratory diphtheria cases and 12 asymptomatic contacts testing positive. These cases were confined to the City of Cape Town, and included a cluster linked to a correctional facility.
In 2025, by week 2 (starting 13 January), one respiratory diphtheria case and one asymptomatic contact testing positive were reported in Gauteng.
Clinicians are urged to secure emergency DAT stocks.
The NICD’s doctor-on-call line (080 021 2552) provides expert consultation.
Access the Alert Notification Information
21 January 2025 | NCID | Diphtheria Cases Rise in South Africa: What You Need to Know
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