What We Do
Thanks to very high vaccination coverage, diphtheria caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae has been eradicated in mainland France. However, cases are still reported in Mayotte. In addition, a few cases of C. ulcerans are reported each year in France. This disease poses a public health challenge.
Epidemiological surveillance of diphtheria
Diphtheria surveillance is based on mandatory reporting. The case definition, initially limited to the identification of C. diphtheriae carrying the gene encoding the diphtheria toxin (i.e., toxinogenic), was expanded in 2003 to include toxinogenic C. ulcerans and, in 2011, to include toxinogenic C. pseudotuberculosis. It does not apply to strains that do not carry the gene encoding the diphtheria toxin.
Mandatory reporting
Mandatory reporting involves collecting as comprehensive information as possible regarding all cases of certain diseases known as "notifiable diseases" from laboratory technicians and physicians. It is carried out in two successive stages: reporting and notification.
All cases of diphtheria diagnosed by clinicians and laboratory professionals must be reported to the Regional Health Agencies (ARS), which validate the information, conduct an investigation with the patient or their contacts to identify risk exposures, search for other cases linked to these exposures, and implement, if necessary, control and prevention measures. The ARSs forward the reports to Santé publique France, which is responsible in particular for epidemiological surveillance at the national level. Notifiable cases are all cases in which a strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, ulcerans, or pseudotuberculosis carrying the gene encoding the diphtheria toxin has been identified.
Definition of cases to be reported and notified
| Reported cases | Type of notification form | Notifiable cases | Reporting and notification criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspected cases*, confirmed cases, and any isolation of a strain carrying the gene encoding diphtheria toxin | Simple and downloadable | Any isolation of a strain carrying the gene encoding diphtheria toxin |
Reporting* Notification: Confirmed Note: Request urgent testing for the toxin-coding gene from the National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae complex |
*Suspected cases: Report based on clinical suspicion without waiting for confirmation.
Notification Form
Informing the public about the reporting of notifiable diseases
A network of partners
This surveillance system relies on several partners:
A prevention initiative against diphtheria
Santé publique France has created an informational website on the various vaccinations available in France to provide reliable, scientifically validated answers to questions the public and healthcare professionals may have on the subject.
A section dedicated to diphtheria is available in two distinct areas: one aimed at the general public, the other at healthcare professionals, to better support them in their practice.
In relation to
Vaccination
thematic dossier
Contagious diseases most often affect children at a very young age. Because children are particularly vulnerable, they are a priority target for vaccination programs.
