• Local Health Jurisdictions

• Notifiable Conditions Reporting Numbers

• Reporting Forms and Guidelines

• Disease Surveillance Data

• Glossary

• Legal Requirements

• EpiTrends

• Notifiable Conditions & the Health Care ProviderPDF, 97KB)

• Notifiable Conditions & the Health Care Facility(PDF, 104KB)

• Notifiable Conditions & the Laboratory (PDF, 55KB)

• Notifiable Conditions & the Local Health Jurisdiction  (PDF, 44KB)

• Notifiable Conditions & the Veterinarian(PDF, 60KB)

• Communicable Disease Epidemiology

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Cause: Toxigenic strains of the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Illness and treatment: Classic diphtheria is an upper-respiratory tract illness characterized by sore throat, low-grade fever, and an adherent membrane of the tonsil(s), pharynx, and/or nose, sometimes with neck swelling. Diphtheria can involve almost any mucous membrane and may also be cutaneous. Treatment is with antitoxin, antibiotics, and supportive care.

Sources:  Humans carriers are the reservoir and are usually asymptomatic. Transmission is through respiratory droplets, but may occur from skin lesions or articles soiled with discharges.

Additional risks: Susceptible travelers to areas where routine immunization of adults is lacking are at higher risk for diphtheria infection, especially if an epidemic is in progress.

Prevention: Universal immunization including booster doses prevents infection. Respiratory and hand hygiene prevent transmission.

Recent Washington trends:  The last recorded case was in 1981.

2010: No cases were reported.

Purpose of Reporting and Surveillance

• To assist in the diagnosis of cases
• To assure early and appropriate treatment with diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics
• To identify and evaluate contacts and recommend appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis and/or immunization to prevent further spread of the disease
• To alert public health authorities to the presence of diphtheria cases and the possibility of additional cases developing in the area, a particular concern given the large number of susceptible adults

Legal Reporting Requirements

• Health care providers: immediately notifiable to local health jurisdiction.
• Health care facilities: immediately notifiable to local health jurisdiction.
• Laboratories: Corynebacterium diphtheriae immediately notifiable to local health jurisdiction, specimen submission required - culture (2 business days).
• Local health jurisdictions: immediately notifiable to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE).

Last update
December 2011