Outbreak of imported diphtheria with Corynebacterium diphtheriae among migrants arriving in Germany, 2022

Abstract

From July 2022, cases of imported diphtheria with toxigenic <i>Corynebacterium diphtheriae</i> remarkably increased among migrants arriving in Germany. Up to 30 September 2022, 44 cases have been reported to the national public health institute, all laboratory-confirmed, male, and mainly coming from Syria (n = 21) and Afghanistan (n = 17). Phylogeny and available journey information indicate that most cases (n = 19) were infected along the Balkan route. Active case finding, increased laboratory preparedness and epicentre localisation in countries along this route are important.