DIPHTHERIA - EPIDEMIOLOGIC UPDATE AND REVIEW OF PREVENTION AND CONTROL STRATEGIES

The importance of anti-diphtheria immunity in adults through periodic booster doses of vaccine is now increasing after last years diphtheria outbreaks in Newly Independent States (NIS) and Algeria and a few cas es found in Europe and USA. Diphtheria cases notified in Italy between 1991-1994 have been reported. In 1995 WHO outlined the need to review vaccination schedules against diphtheria in all countries where gaps occur in the immunity of adults. The main sero-epidemiological studies performed in adults and vaccination schedules against diphtheria in s ome industrialized countries have been examined. Actual situation and control strategies adopted by WHO in the NIS and implications for othe r countries have been briefly presented. Finally, guidelines for manag ement, investigation and control of diphtheria have been reported, inc luding CDCs recommendations.