According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), two countries reported confirmed diphtheria cases between December 2018 and February 2019–Haiti and Venezuela.

In Venezuela, the diphtheria outbreak that began in July 2016 remains ongoing. Through February 2019, Venezuela has seen a total of 2,726 suspected cases (1,612 confirmed), including 164 in 2019 to date.

A total of 280 deaths were reported (17 in 2016, 103 in 2017, 150 in 2018, and 10 in 2019). The case-fatality rate among confirmed cases was 18% in 2016, 13% in 2017, 20% in 2018, and 26% in 2019.

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This child with diphtheria presented with a characteristic swollen neck, sometimes referred to as “bull neck”.  Image/CDC
This child with diphtheria presented with a characteristic swollen neck, sometimes referred to as “bull neck”. Image/CDC