Facts about diphtheria - Diphtheria disease is caused by coryne bacterium diphtheriae that produce a poison or toxin. Diphtheria can cause blockage of the airway, heart problems, and paralysis of the muscles needed for swallowing. With diphtheria, the throat can become covered by a distinctive greyish membrane. Diphtheria remains a clinical problem in imigrant children and undocumented aliens.
Diphtheria is an excellent case study on the impact of immunization policy and practice changes.
The Soviet Union developed a public health infrastructure that sharply decreased the number of cases of diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases. With the break-up of the USSR, the public health system for routine immunization disintegrated. An epidemic of diphtheria began in 1990 and in 1995 alone, there were 50,000 cases and 1,500 deaths reported from the former Soviet Union.