DISEASE NAME:
Diphtheria in Ireland
CATEGORY:
Vaccine Preventable
Diphtheria in Ireland
Diphtheria in Ireland
Diphtheria is an acute bacterial disease usually affecting the tonsils, pharynx, larynx and occasionally the skin. Diphtheria is a vaccine preventable disease.
This notifiable disease is attributable to three organisms, each of which is toxin-producing: Corynebacterium diphtheriae, C. ulcerans, C. pseudotuberculosis.
In 1948, 521 cases of diphtheria were reported. The introduction of the combination diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTP) vaccine in Ireland in 1952/1953 led to a decline in the number of diphtheria cases when until 1968 no cases were reported for the first time. After a period of 47 years, however, one case was notified in 2015 and another in 2016. No cases have been reported since then.
Diphtheria, 2022
| 0 | The number of diphtheria notifications in 2022 |
| 0.0 | The national notification rate per 100,000 population in 2022 |
Last updated: 14 August 2023
Guidance
Guidance on the Public Health Management of Diphtheria in Congregate Settings in Ireland File Size: 700 KB
Publication Date: 01 August 2023
Appendix A: HSE National Self Isolation Facility Referral Form File Size: (679 kb)
Publication Date: 4 May 2023
Appendix B: Algorithm for close contact management File Size: 100 KB
Publication Date: 02 August 2023
Appendix C: Warn and inform letter File Size: 200 KB
Publication Date: 02 August 2023
Appendix D: Close contact letter File Size: 200 KB
Publication Date: 02 August 2023
Appendix E: Vaccine information close contact File Size: 200 KB
Publication Date: 02 August 2023
Case definition
Clinical criteria
Any person with at least one of the following clinical forms:
Classic respiratory diphtheria:
An upper respiratory tract illness with laryngitis or nasopharyngitis or tonsillitis
AND an adherent membrane/pseudomembrane
Mild respiratory diphtheria:
An upper respiratory tract illness with laryngitis or nasopharyngitis or tonsillitis
WITHOUT an adherent membrane/pseudomembrane.
Cutaneous diphtheria: skin lesion
Diphtheria of other sites: lesion of conjunctiva or mucous membranes
Laboratory criteria
Isolation of toxin producing C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans or C. pseudotuberculosis from a clinical specimen
Epidemiological criteria
An epidemiological link to a confirmed case (human or animal)
Case classification
A. Possible case
Any person meeting the clinical criteria for classical respiratory diphtheria
B. Probable case
Any person meeting the clinical criteria for diphtheria (classic respiratory diphtheria, mild respiratory diphtheria, cutaneous diphtheria, diphtheria of other sites) with an epidemiological link to a confirmed case (human or animal)
C. Confirmed case
Any person meeting the laboratory criteria and at least one of the clinical forms
Note:
Non toxigenic C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans or C. pseudotuberculosis should not be notified
Current as of: 24 January 2019
Information, Data and Reports for Diphtheria in Ireland
Ireland’s specialist service for the surveillance of communicable diseases.