Diphtheria cases surge in Sindh as EPI scrambles for control


- 219 suspected/confirmed diphtheria cases

- 40 deaths, 18% fatality rate

- Low vaccination coverage blamed for outbreak

IV Report

KARACHI: Amidst reports of a gradual increase in diphtheria outbreak cases received at hospitals across the province, the Sindh Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) confirmed late October 16 that 59 more people affected by the bacterial disease have landed in hospitals in 12 days since October 5, taking the tally of suspected or confirmed diphtheria patients to 219 for 2024.

An official statement said there were five confirmed diphtheria outbreaks in districts - Central, West, Keamari in Karachi division and Dadu, Larkana - which registered 40 deaths this year. This marks a 43% increase against 28 deaths confirmed by October 5. The overall fatality rate stands at 18%.

The EPI has initiated case response activities in all affected union councils of districts concerned. So far, 878 children under five years of age have been vaccinated with the penta vaccine, while 1,206 children above five years of age have received the Td (Tetanus and Diphtheria) vaccine.

Two outbreaks remain active - one in Dadu and another in District West, Karachi. The statement highlighted vaccination status among the 219 suspected or confirmed cases, noting a concerning 57% of suspected or confirmed diphtheria cases in children had not received any doses of the DPT-containing vaccine.

About 76% of recorded cases represented children over five years of age. This cohort reflects the group from several years ago when EPI Sindh had significantly lower vaccination coverage. According to the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS), routine immunisation coverage at that time was at 37%.

Of 219 suspected diphtheria cases for 2024, 30 cases have been confirmed through laboratory testing, epidemiological linkage, or clinical evaluation. Official summary of cases reveals Karachi division reported a total 88 suspected diphtheria cases this year, compared to 125 cases of 2023 during the same period. Outside Karachi, there were 131 suspected cases, compared to 30 cases during the same period in 2023.

Meanwhile, authorities in Sindh have moved WHO and UNICEF for more supplies of Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT). These supplies are expected to arrive soon, while mop-up vaccination activities have commenced in affected districts, focusing on children who missed their Penta doses, which include protection against diphtheria.

Sindh EPI received over 530 vials of diphtheria antitoxin from WHO on humanitarian grounds on October 13.


With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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