Diphtheria cases have surged in Somalia, with over 97% of cases occurring in children. The country reported 497 diphtheria cases in just four months of 2025, a dramatic rise from 49 cases in 2024. Deaths from diphtheria increased from 13 to 42 during this period. Major contributing factors include low vaccination rates, vaccine hesitancy, and inadequate living conditions. Medical resources are insufficient to address the growing crisis, with MSF reporting an exhausted emergency stock of the antitoxin, while the health ministry attempts to distribute limited resources.
The number of recorded cases of children sick with diphtheria has increased across the regions in the whole country, with 497 diphtheria cases during the last four months alone.
We are seeing a rapid increase in diphtheria among children under 15 in central Somalia, as they accounted for roughly 97% of cases.
The resurgence of diphtheria is described as one of the most urgent and dangerous threats to public health, with deaths rising from 13 to 42.
Low vaccination coverage, vaccine hesitancy and poor living conditions are driving the spread of diphtheria in Somalia.
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