The World Health Organization (WHO) was informed by the Ministry of Health on September 5, 2023, about an outbreak of diphtheria in Guinea. 

Between July 4 and October 13, 2023, 538 cases were documented in the Kankan district of Guinea's east-central region.

There are 520 suspected cases and 18 confirmed cases, with 58 fatalities, including 13 confirmed cases (an 11% case fatality rate). The bulk of the incidents involved children aged 1-4 years. 

In total, 58 deaths were reported, 13 of which were among confirmed cases, and 461 contacts are being tracked. Sixty-two percent of the reported cases are female. 

The 1-4 year age group accounted for the greatest proportion of reported cases (82%), followed by the 5-9 year age group (5%), and those aged 10 and up (5%). 

None of the 538 cases had been immunized. 

According to WHO/UNICEF forecasts, immunization coverage with diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, and pertussis (DTP3) vaccine in Guinea is 47% for 2022 and has stayed below 50% since 2014.

This falls short of the 80-85% coverage required to keep the community safe. 

Given the continually low vaccination coverage, WHO considers the risk of diphtheria in Guinea to be high.