Diphtheria: The rising cases of “Throat Distemper” in Pakistan: A short communication

BACKGROUND: The objective of this short communication is to summarize the current situation in Pakistan regarding the rising cases of diphtheria and to emphasize the need for public health interventions to control the spread of the disease. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a short communication. METHODS: Data on diphtheria cases were collected from various sources including the Pakistan Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), and media reports. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data on the number of cases and trends over time. RESULTS: As of 2023, the number of reported diphtheria cases in Pakistan has increased by 50% compared to the previous year. The majority of cases are being reported from the Sindh and Punjab provinces. The incidence of diphtheria is highest among children under the age of 10. CONCLUSIONS: The rising cases of diphtheria in Pakistan are a cause for concern and indicate the need for effective public health interventions to control the spread of the disease. This includes increasing vaccine coverage, improving hygiene practices, and enhancing surveillance and reporting systems. The public health community should also work towards educating communities on the importance of vaccination and preventative measures to reduce the burden of diphtheria in Pakistan.