Diphtheria outbreak in Europe hits migrants and homeless, experts urge vaccination

Diphtheria outbreak in Europe hits migrants and homeless, experts urge vaccination

The largest diphtheria outbreak in Western Europe in 70 years has affected over 500 people since 2022, primarily targeting vulnerable populations such as migrants and the homeless, according to new research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The outbreak, caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium, has led to 536 recorded cases and three deaths across Europe, with the majority of infections involving young, unvaccinated males—mainly recent migrants from Afghanistan and Syria. Genetic analysis suggests the infections occurred not in the countries of origin but during migration journeys or in accommodation facilities in Europe.

France’s public health agency and the Pasteur Institute stated that the strains detected across multiple countries show strong genetic similarities, indicating a shared point of recent transmission. A genetic link to a 2022 strain found in Germany suggests that the bacteria continues to circulate in Western Europe.

While contact tracing and screening efforts helped curb the outbreak, experts warn that sporadic cases persist. They emphasized the importance of improving vaccine coverage and healthcare access among at-risk groups, and called for greater awareness among healthcare providers working with migrants and unhoused individuals.