Ministry of Health informs about occurrence of diphtheria in Austria
Prevention – Vaccination protects against disease, booster every 10 years necessary
Vienna (OTS/BMSGPK) – The Ministry of Health provides information about the occurrence of diphtheria in Austria. Diphtheria is caused by poisons (toxins) from bacteria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, caused. The disease is notifiable in Austria. As part of this reporting obligation, 2 cases of diphtheria have been reported in the past few days. The two cases were or are being treated as inpatients in a Viennese hospital. One person died as a result of the illness, the second is on the mend. Further laboratory diagnostic clarifications were arranged. The local health authorities have taken the necessary measures and the two cases have been reported to the international health authorities.****
Information about diphtheria
Diphtheria is caused by toxins from the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae caused. The bacteria are transmitted by droplets and generate contact. The incubation period of the disease is usually 2-5 days. The clinical picture can vary from a local infection (nose, throat, laryngeal diphtheria) to an infection of the respiratory tract to a severe toxic form (heart muscle, kidney, liver damage). Sufficiently vaccinated people can C.diphtheriae in the nose and throat and transmit this without becoming ill yourself. The disease is treated with antibiotics and antitoxins.
Vaccination against diphtheria
The most effective way to prevent the disease and a severe course is vaccination. The basic immunization usually takes place in children as part of the 6-fold vaccination with combination vaccines against diphtheria-tetanus-polio-pertussis-hepatitis B-haemophilus B. There are 3 vaccinations in the 3rd, 5th and 11-12th month of life recommended. Combination vaccines containing components against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and possibly polio are recommended for persons over the age of 6 years. The first booster vaccination is in the 7.-9. Age recommended, then every 10 years (or every 5 years from the age of 60).
More information on diphtheria can be found at https://www.sozialministerium.at/Themen/Gesundheit/Uebertragbare-Krankheiten/Infectious Diseases-AZ/Diphtheria.html
Questions & contact:
Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMSGPK)
press officer@sozialministerium.at
sozialministerium.at