Is diphtheria an emerging infectious disease?
Yes. Diphtheria has re-emerged in the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union and in some other parts of the world at near-epidemic levels. The increases have generally been the result of failed public health and immunization programs in areas weakened by economic and social turmoil. In the United States, the diphtheria threat is shifting from children to adults and adolescents. Cases are occurring in persons who have not been immunized or in vaccinated persons who did not receive periodic booster doses to maintain their immunity. Routine vaccination of both children and adults is essential to prevent the re-emergence of diphtheria in the United States. How can diphtheria be prevented? There is a vaccine for diphtheria. The diphtheria vaccine is usually given in a combination shot with tetanus and pertussis vaccines, known as DTP vaccine. A child should have received four DTP shots by 18 months of age, with a booster shot at age 4 years to 6 years. After that, diphtheria an
