Fatal Case of Diphtheria and Risk for Reemergence, Singapore

Abstract

We report a fatal autochthonous diphtheria case in a migrant worker in Singapore. This case highlights the risk for individual cases in undervaccinated subpopulations, despite high vaccination coverage in the general population. Prompt implementation of public health measures and maintaining immunization coverage are critical to prevent reemergence of diphtheria.

Keywords

• diphtheria
• Corynebacterium diphtheriae
• bacteria
• toxigenic
• public health
• vaccines