Two New Diphtheria Cases Reported in South Africa’s Western Cape

Two additional cases of diphtheria have been reported in the Western Cape of South Africa as of April 4, 2026. The reporting indicates a continued presence of the disease in the region, following a series of laboratory-confirmed cases over the preceding months.

This development follows a reported trend of toxigenic respiratory diphtheria cases centered in the Western Cape. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has been monitoring the situation through periodic situational reports.

Timeline of Confirmed Cases

On March 9, 2026, the NICD released a situational report for week 9 of 2026. That report identified one new laboratory-confirmed case of toxigenic diphtheria in the Western Cape.

The March 9 report also specified that there were no new asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae identified during that period.

Earlier in the year, reporting from January 26, 2026, described the situation as fluid, noting one new laboratory-confirmed case of toxigenic respiratory diphtheria since the previous NICD update.

On January 24, 2026, reports indicated that the Western Cape was at the heart of a worrying diphtheria outbreak, with data detailing a staggering number of cases and deaths.

The increase in cases began appearing in reports as early as late 2025. A situational report from December 2025 highlighted three new laboratory-confirmed cases of toxigenic respiratory diphtheria within the Western Cape.

Medical Context of the Outbreak

The cases identified in South Africa are caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This specific strain of bacteria produces a toxin that can lead to severe respiratory issues and other systemic health complications.

The focus of the current outbreak remains concentrated in the Western Cape, where health authorities have been tracking both symptomatic cases and asymptomatic carriers of the bacteria.