Due to a significant decrease in vaccination https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25317-haiti-health-dramatic-drop-in-the-vaccination-of-children.html the diphtheria epidemic continues to make victimes in Haiti. Between August 4, 2014 and August 11, 2018, 223 cases out of 653 probable cases were confirmed (219 per laboratory and 7 per epidemiological link), 100 deaths were notified.

Since the beginning of the year until August 20, 2018, there has been a significant increase, 249 probable cases have already been reported (in 66% of young people under 15), including 56 confirmed cases in 8 months (51 in the laboratory and 5 in epidemiological link) against 56 cases confirmed on average over 12 months in the last 4 years. In the last 8 months, 20 deaths have been reported (4 confirmed in the laboratory, 5 confirmed by epidemiological link, 9 without viable laboratory samples and 2 under investigation). From January 1, 2018 to August 20, 46% of probable cases and 43% of confirmed cases were reported in the Department of the West.

Note that the number of probable cases reported in 2018 to week 34 is 28% higher than the total number of reported cases in 2017 and 115% higher than reported in 2016 due to the increased sensitivity of the national surveillance system.

To know more about the probable cases :

For the Ministry of Health in Haiti, a probable case of diphtheria is defined as any person of any age who presents with laryngitis, pharyngitis or tonsillitis with false membranes adhering to the tonsils, pharynx and / or nasal cavities, associated with edema of the neck.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25317-haiti-health-dramatic-drop-in-the-vaccination-of-children.html

IH/ iciHaiti