Zeitschrift für Infektionskrankheiten und Pathologie

Abstrakt

Controlling Diphtheria Vaccination Strategies & Global Initiatives

Haruki Aoi

Diphtheria is a serious and potentially life-threatening infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This disease primarily affects the respiratory system but can also affect other organs in the body. Historically, diphtheria was a major public health concern, causing significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in children. However, thanks to widespread vaccination efforts, diphtheria has become rare in many parts of the world. Diphtheria has a long history and has been responsible for numerous epidemics throughout human history. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a leading cause of childhood mortality in Europe and North America.