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A case of toxigenic diphtheria has been reported in Spain. The case is an unimmunised 6-year-old boy from Olot, close to the city of Girona, in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia in the northeast of Spain. The child developed symptoms on 25 May 2015, he was transferred to hospital in Barcelona where diphtheria was diagnosed on 30 May 2015. Diphtheria antitoxin has been administered and the child is said to be reponding to treatment but remains in a serious condition.
It has been 29 years since a case of diphtheria was reported in Spain (1986). An investigation into the source of infection is underway.
Prior to the onset of symptoms, the boy attended a school camp on 19 and 20 May and 57 children from the camp are being monitored. All contacts of the case (between 100-150) have been traced and control measures are being applied according to a national protocol. All contacts are being vaccinated and throat swabs are being taken from close contacts. The majority of contacts are family members, classmates and healthcare workers.
Catalonia’s ministry of health confirmed on 8 June 2015, that a further eight asymptomatic cases have been identified by throat swab among classmates. These children have all been previously immunised and not showing any signs of illness; they are being classes as carriers of the infection.
(Via The Local ES - accessed 08/06/15)
This is an unusual event and not a risk for most travellers to Spain, however, all travellers should ensure that they are up-to-date with the UK national vaccine schedule and have received diphtheria vaccine.
