Infection prevention and control measures when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed respiratory diphtheria: a summary

Overview

This operational guide addresses important infection prevention and control (IPC) measures that should be implemented during a diphtheria outbreak and primarily addresses respiratory Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheria).  

IPC measures are based on the principles of standard and transmission-based precautions. When implemented effectively, IPC measures can prevent or control transmission, keeping patients, health and care workers and visitors/caregivers safe.  

Key advice in this guide includes ensuring health and care workers are vaccinated with diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccines; isolating suspected or confirmed cases in well-ventilated single rooms and utilizing droplet precautions with additional personal protective equipment (PPE) based on risk-assessment when maintaining a distance of 1 meter is not possible; and ensuring visitors or caregivers also adhere to PPE requirements and receive proper instructions on hand hygiene and PPE usage. 

Accompany the one-pager summary is the operational guide.