Title : Investigation of a suspected case of diphtheria at the Eliazar Germain Hospital Center, Pétion-Ville Haiti, June 27th, 2022
Abstract:
Background: From January 2019 to January 2020, global diphtheria coverage dropped by 33% and Haiti's by 79%. An alert was launched on June 24th, 2022 by the Municipal Health Office of Pétion-Ville. The objective of this investigation was to ensure the detection of the case and to put in place control and prevention measures.
Methods: A descriptive study (case study) was carried out on June 27th, 2022. The case definition, the investigation and laboratory request form developed by the Laboratory and Research Epidemiology Department were used. Data analysis concerns the following variables: socio-demographic/epidemiological data, source of reports, clinical information, vaccination status, results, case classification and follow-up.
Result: This is a 34-year-old woman with: fever, tonsillitis, dyspnea, dysphagia, thick grey-white coating, pharyngitis and cervical lymphadenopathy. She was placed on amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Her only contact is her husband; the latter was presenting with fever, tonsillitis and dysphagia. Case was investigated on June 27th, 2022. Culture results were negative. The vaccination records of the patient and her contact are not up to date.
Conclusion: This is a case classified as rejected having benefited from a follow-up (awareness by telephone). The negativity of the test can be explained by the administration of antibiotic therapy before sampling. This study shows the need to involve medical personnel in the monitoring of notifiable diseases, and the strengthen strategies for increasing vaccination coverage by implementing a vaccination policy for adolescents and adults.
Keywords: diphtheria, surveillance, vaccination, investigation. Treatment, Haiti
