Confirmed Case of Diphtheria in Singapore

1.          The Ministry of Health (MOH) was notified on 3 August 2017 of a case of diphtheria. The patient is a 21-year-old construction worker from Bangladesh who resided at Yishun Avenue 7 and worked at Teban Gardens.

2.          He developed fever and swelling of the neck on 30 July, and sought medical treatment at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital on 1 August. He was immediately isolated and hospitalised on the same day. He subsequently passed away on 4 August. His respiratory sample tested positive for toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae¹. As he had not travelled out of Singapore recently, he was likely to have been infected in Singapore.

Screening of Contacts

3.          MOH is screening the individual’s close contacts, including those who resided at the same dormitory and worked in the same workplace. A total of 48 contacts who worked or lived with the patient have been identified for further assessment. Among the 48 contacts identified, two close contacts had developed sore throat since 3 August. They have been isolated at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. All 48 contacts have been given preventive medication and a booster diphtheria vaccine, and their respiratory samples have been taken for testing.

4.          The risk of spread of diphtheria is assessed to be low. In Singapore, compulsory vaccination against diphtheria has been established as part of the National Childhood Immunisation Programme since 1962. As diphtheria vaccination is compulsory by law for children, the vaccination coverage for diphtheria in children aged two in the Singaporean population remains high (at 96 to 98%). The last local case of diphtheria was reported in 1992 and the last imported case was in 1996.  

About Diphtheria

5.          Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium. It is transmitted from person to person via the respiratory route through close contact (e.g. through air droplets from coughing or sneezing) with an affected case. Symptoms include fever/ chills, sore throat, swelling of the neck and nasal discharge.

6.          Diphtheria can cause infection of the airway, which may lead to breathing difficulties and death. Diphtheria is fatal in five to ten percent of cases, with a higher fatality rate in young children. Treatment involves administering diphtheria antitoxin as well as antibiotics.

7.          The best way to prevent diphtheria is to get vaccinated. Vaccination against diphtheria is effective in reducing the mortality and morbidity of diphtheria dramatically.

[1] Toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae was isolated from his respiratory sample.