The Ministry of Health has confirmed five cases of diphtheria in Skikda province, including two fatalities: a 25-year-old foreign man and a 12-year-old girl who was unvaccinated. This has brought renewed attention to this serious bacterial disease, which had become relatively rare thanks to vaccination programs.
Diphtheria is a contagious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Its danger lies in the toxin it produces, which can lead to fatal complications affecting the heart, nerves, and kidneys if left untreated. Experts note that symptoms may initially appear deceptively like a common cold before rapidly progressing into a life-threatening condition.
Key symptoms of diphtheria include:
- The formation of a thick, grey membrane on the throat and tonsils, obstructing breathing and swallowing.
- Swelling of the neck, known as “bull neck.”
- Mild fever and general weakness.
The condition can potentially develop into serious inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), nerve paralysis, or kidney failure.
Infection primarily spreads through respiratory droplets or through skin wounds. The mortality rate is estimated between 5 and 10 percent of untreated cases, and it is significantly higher among unvaccinated children.
Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, especially in the absence of vaccination, and confirmed by laboratory tests through bacterial culture or molecular detection techniques. Treatment includes administering antitoxin immediately upon suspicion of infection, without waiting for test results, in addition to antibiotics such as erythromycin or penicillin. Close medical monitoring is essential.
Vaccination is the most effective means of prevention. The diphtheria vaccine is included in the national immunization program (DTP vaccine), given to children starting at two months of age, with booster doses throughout childhood and adulthood every ten years. Doctors warn against neglecting to complete the vaccination schedule, emphasizing that constant vigilance remains the primary defense against the resurgence of this ancient disease, which can be fatal in the absence of prevention.
