Another laboratory in the Western Cape, has confirmed a case of diphtheria, a toxigenic respiratory disease.
This was confirmed by the Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis (CRDM), for the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Although there are no new asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic C. diphtheriae, 82 cases were confirmed between 01 January 2024 and the 09 November 2025.
A chunk of the cases are currently in the Western Cape (58 of the 82), followed by Limpopo (9), Mpumalanga (8), Gauteng (4) and KZN (3).
According to an NICD report, about 17 people have died, from the disease.
The NICD said the public response to the disease, includes “swabbing of close contacts, their isolation and providing prophylaxis and vaccination.”
Most people (70% of the cases) who contracted the disease, are 18 years and older.
Some common symptoms of the disease are a sore throat, low grade fever and “greyish-white membrane of either the nose, tonsils or larynx.”
Others are enlarged glands in the neck.
Picture: HR Doagnostic