Diphtheria in Europe: Migration Routes Linked to Outbreak
Discover the critical findings of the 2022 diphtheria outbreak in Europe: It wasn’t origin countries, but migration routes that fueled the spread among migrants.This research underlines the importance of vigilance and vaccination, especially for vulnerable groups. the primary_keyword outbreak, primarily affecting populations from Afghanistan and Syria, saw the secondary_keyword Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium spread via shared contact points within Europe, or during transit. News Directory 3 provides timely health updates. Stay informed: Discover what’s next in preventing future outbreaks and protecting public health.
Diphtheria Outbreak in Europe Linked to Migration, Not Origin Countries
Updated June 05, 2025
A recent study reveals that the 2022 diphtheria outbreak in Western Europe, the largest in 70 years, spread among migrants and other vulnerable groups. The Corynebacterium diphtheriae contaminations occurred during migration or within European countries, not in the migrants’ countries of origin, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.
Corynebacterium. Credit: Institut Pasteur
While the exact locations of initial contamination remain unknown, researchers have established a genetic link between the 2022 outbreak and a 2015 epidemic in Germany. This suggests the bacterium may be silently circulating in Western Europe. The research underscores the effectiveness of general vaccination programs but emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and public health support, including vaccination and screening, for vulnerable populations.
In 2022, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recorded 362 cases in Europe. Even though interventions like contact tracing helped mitigate the epidemic by the end of 2022, 123 cases were reported in 2023 across several countries, including Austria, France, and the United kingdom. Since 2022, 536 cases and at least three deaths have been reported in Europe.
Researchers analyzed 363 isolates from 362 patients across ten European countries. The data indicated that 98% of patients were male, with a median age of 18, and 96% had recently migrated to Europe. Most infections (77%) were cutaneous, while 15% were respiratory.
The study indicates that the diphtheria epidemic primarily affected migrants from Afghanistan and Syria. genomic analysis revealed a high degree of genetic similarity among bacterial strains from different countries, suggesting a recent point of contact outside the countries of origin led to contamination. Researchers hypothesize that this contact occurred in places frequented by migrants during their journeys or in destination countries.
“This study highlights the crucial importance of cross-border epidemiological surveillance and international collaboration in epidemic response,” said Prof. Sylvain Brisse of the Institut Pasteur.
Public health experts are urging vigilance and strengthened public health measures for vulnerable populations in Western Europe. these measures include raising awareness of symptoms among doctors and those in contact with vulnerable groups, checking vaccination status, and providing appropriate antibiotic therapies.
Isabelle Parent du Châtelet of Santé publique France emphasized the importance of up-to-date diphtheria immunization, particularly for vulnerable groups like migrants, the homeless, and injecting drug users. She also stressed the need for clinicians to be aware of diphtheria symptoms, especially in patients with ties to these populations.
What’s next
Moving forward, experts emphasize the need to enhance infectious disease surveillance among vulnerable populations, improve access to healthcare and vaccination for migrants, and remain vigilant against emerging antibiotic resistance.