Sudden spike in cases of highly contagious, deadly Victorian disease reported in the UK
THREE other people tested positive for dIphtheria in the UK, new figures show.
This is the first time new cases have been reported since the start of the year, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
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Diphtheria has now been found in 77 asylum seekers who have arrived on British shores since 2022.
Before the sudden spike in cases in August, the total stood at 74, with just one case reported in January.
One person died after contracting diphtheria in November 2022 after being held at the Manston processing center in Kent.
Experts have previously attributed the rise in cases to chronic overcrowding and poor infection control at some centers, as well as a lack of proper vaccinations among migrants.
Over the past decade, the number of cases in England has risen from an average of two to 11 a year, excluding 2020.
Diphtheria is a serious and highly contagious infection that is spread through coughing, sneezing, or close contact.
It was a leading cause of death in the Victorian era but is relatively rare today, with children being routinely vaccinated since the 1940s.
However, the number of young people who received the preventive vaccination fell by seven percent last year.
Those who are not vaccinated are highly susceptible to the pathogen, which, if not treated with antibiotics, can also cause nasty skin sores.
Since 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an increase in cases in countries such as Indonesia, India, South America and Africa.
The 7 Symptoms of Diphtheria You Need to Know:
Signs of serious illness usually appear two to five days after infection.
According to the NHS, key symptoms include:
- a thick off-white coating that may cover the throat, nose, and tongue
- a high temperature (fever)
- sore throat
- swollen glands in the neck
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing
- Pus-filled blisters on legs, feet, and hands
- Large sores surrounded by red, sore-looking skin
Since 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an increase in cases in countries such as Indonesia, India, South America and Africa.
Transmission occurs through coughing and sneezing or through close contact with an infected person.
However, you can also become infected by sharing objects such as cups, clothing or bedding with an infected person.
