Epidemiological characteristics of diphtheria in the Central Highlands region in 2020 and some related factors

Abstract

A cross - sectional descriptive study on the epidemiological characteristics of diphtheria in 4 provinces in the Central Highlands in 2020 and some related factors was performed with 191 laboratory - confirmed diphtheria cases. As a result, 116 patients (60.7%) appeared at the end of June and early July; the remaining cases were scattered until November 2020. The incidence in men and women varies from province to province but is similar on a regional scale. 93.7% of patients were found in ethnic minority people. Age over 18 years old accounted for 37.1%; 15.6% in 15 - 18 yearolds, 34.7% in 8 - 14 years olds and 12.6% in 0 - 7 year-olds. Common symptoms were sore throat (94.9%), pseudogout (88.2%), and fever (88.2%). The complication rate is 4.2%, and the mortality rate of 2.6%. Not vaccinated/ incompletely vaccinated, 2.3 times more likely to have symptoms than those who have been fully vaccinated (p < 0.05). Only 21.6% had a clear history of exposure to a positive diphtheria case; 92.8% of patients had no record of leaving the living area. Diphtheria epidemics can be caused by immune deficiencies in specific populations over a long period. Therefore, the earliest possible addition of vaccines to the risk area and active surveillance of diphtheria cases are essential to control the epidemic in the Central Highlands.