Diphtheria outbreak with high mortality in northeastern Nigeria

作者：Besa N C; Coldiron M E^*; Bakri A; Raji A; Nsuami M J; Rousseau C; Hurtado N; Porten K

来源：Epidemiology and Infection, 2014, 142(4): 797-802.

DOI：10.1017/S0950268813001696

• Community outbreaks
• diphtheria
• vaccine-preventable diseases

A diphtheria outbreak occurred from February to November 2011 in the village of Kimba and its surrounding settlements, in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria.We conducted a retrospective outbreak investigation in Kimba village and the surrounding settlements to better describe the extent and clinical characteristics of this outbreak.Ninety-eight cases met the criteria of the case definition of diphtheria, 63 (64.3%) of whom were children aged <10 years; 98% of cases had never been immunized against diphtheria.None of the 98 cases received diphtheria antitoxin, penicillin, or erythromycin during their illness.The overall case-fatality ratio was 21.4%, and was highest in children aged 0-4 years (42.9%).Low rates of immunization, delayed clinical recognition of diphtheria and absence of treatment with antitoxin and appropriate antibiotics contributed to this epidemic and its severity.

• 出版日期2014-4