Diphtheria Outbreaks in Schools in Central Highland Districts, Vietnam, 2015–2018

Abstract

During 2015–2018, seven schools in rural Vietnam experienced diphtheria outbreaks. Multilocus sequence types were the same within schools but differed between schools. Low vaccine coverage and crowded dormitories might have contributed to the outbreaks. Authorities should consider administering routine vaccinations and booster doses for students entering the school system.

Keywords

• bacteria
• diphtheria
• epidemic
• epidemiology
• multilocus sequence typing
• Southeast Asia