Sudden spike in cases of highly contagious, deadly Victorian disease reported in the UK | The Sun

THREE more people have tested positive for diphtheria in the UK, new figures reveal.

This marks the first time since the start of the year that new cases have been reported, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Diphtheria has now been identified in 77 asylum seekers who have arrived on British shores since 2022.

Before the sudden spike of cases in August, the total stood at 74, with only one case reported in January.

One person died after contracting diphtheria in November 2022 after being held at Manston processing centre in Kent.

Experts have previously blamed the rise in cases on chronic over crowding and poor infection control at some centres as well as a lack of proper vaccination among the migrant people.

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Over the past decade, the number of cases in England has climbed from an average of two to 11 per year, excluding 2020.

Diphtheria is a serious and highly contagious infection spread by cough, sneezes or close contact.

It was one of the major causes of death during in the Victorian times but is now relatively rare because children have been routinely vaccinated since the 1940s.

However, the number of teenagers receiving the preventative jab fell by seven per cent per cent last year.

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Those who are unvaccinated are highly susceptible to the bug, which can also cause nasty ulcers on the skin, if it's not treated with antibiotics.

Since 2018, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported a rise in cases in places such as Indonesia, India, South American and Africa.

The 7 symptoms of diphtheria you need to know:

SIGNS of the serious illness usually start two to five days after you become infected.

The NHS says the key symptoms include:

  1. a thick grey-white coating that may cover the back of your throat, nose and tongue
  2. a high temperature (fever)
  3. sore throat
  4. swollen glands in your neck
  5. difficulty breathing and swallowing
  6. pus-filled blisters on your legs, feet and hands
  7. large ulcers surrounded by red, sore looking skin

Since 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a rise in cases in places such as Indonesia, India, South American and Africa.

It's spread by coughs and sneezes or through close contact with someone who is infected.

You can, however, also get it from sharing items such as cups, clothing or bedding with an infected person.

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