WHO EPI-WIN webinar: Managing diphtheria: the new WHO clinical management guidelines
Diphtheria is a contagious disease that is caused by toxin producing bacteria. It is fatal in 5–10% of cases, with a higher mortality rate in young children.
Those who are not immunized or under immunized are at risk of the disease. Recent outbreaks of diphtheria in Nigeria, Guinea and neighbouring countries in 2023 have highlighted the urgent need for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of diphtheria. Given the sporadic nature of outbreaks, many clinicians in the affected regions have never managed acute diphtheria and its related complications. Recognizing the global increase in diphtheria outbreaks, WHO rapidly developed a new clinical management guideline for the disease. This webinar will provide information from experts on what is new and most relevant in these guidelines.
Speakers:
Welcome address: Dr Nedret Emiroglu, Director, Country Readiness Strengthening, WHO
Recent diphtheria events leading to guideline development: Dr Steven Mcgloughlin, Technical Officer, WHE/WHO, Professor, Monash University
Case presentation from West Africa Diphtheria Outbreak: Dr Salma Ali Suwaid, Head of Department of Paediatrics, Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital,Kano State, Nigeria
Summary of clinical presentation of Diphtheria and recommendations from new WHO guideline : Dr Srinivas Murthy, Clinical Professor, Paediatric Critical Care and Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Canada