Toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infections in Low-Risk Patients, Switzerland, 2023

Abstract

We report a cluster of infections with genetically related toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae linked to an outbreak among asylum seekers in Switzerland that subsequently affected patients without known exposure. This discovery highlights the importance of rapid, interdisciplinary outbreak investigations and regular vaccination status assessment, especially in elderly populations with waning immunity.

Keywords

• Corynebacterium diphtheriae
• bacteria
• Switzerland
• diphtheria
• outbreak investigation
• public health