Diphtheria: Western Cape hardest hit as 9 new cases increase total to 40

Diphtheria claims 9 lives in South Africa: health officials issue vaccination alert before Easter holidays

Diphtheria: Western Cape hardest hit as 9 new cases increase total to 40

The number of diphtheria cases identified in South Africa has increased to 40 after nine new cases were recorded between 9 and 23 March, according to the latest report from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.

NICD warns of increase in cases of respiratory diphtheria

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has asked the public to review the vaccination status of their children after an increase in diphtheria cases in the country.

Diphtheria cases continue to increase

By Levy Masiteng  The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has sounded the alarm as diphtheria cases are on the rise in South Africa.  NICD spokesperson Vuyo Sabani said that since the beginning of 2025, 40 cases of diphtheria have been confirmed in South Africa, with 19 symptomatic cases and 21 asymptomatic carriers identified through contact tracing. They include 15 respiratory diphtheria cases reported in the Western Cape, two …

Diphtheria Situational Report (Week 12 Of 2025)

Between 1 January 2024 and 23 March 2025, 36 confirmed cases of respiratory diphtheria, 1 probable respiratory diphtheria case and 38 asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic C. diphtheriae, detected during contact tracing, have been identified in South Africa. The majority of confirmed cases and carriers (86%, 64/74) were from the Western Cape, comprising 29 respiratory diphtheria […]