The young passenger, who lacked immunization, has remained in serious but stable condition since last week at a local hospital.
Another adult, who had direct contact with the infected child, has also been hospitalized under epidemiological supervision, with test results expected soon.
Passengers on flights from Africa to Poland being traced for possible diphtheria exposure
Chief Sanitary Inspector Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski speaks at a press briefing on the current epidemiological situation, including a recent diphtheria case, at the Main Sanitary Inspectorate headquarters in Warsaw on March 18, 2025. Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell
On Tuesday, Chief Sanitary Inspector Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski announced that authorities are identifying passengers from three international flights from Africa to Poland who may have been exposed.
Polish travelers have already been placed under preventive measures. Grzesiowski also noted that diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets and that those infected may have been in contact between March 11-13, 2025.
Diphtheria cases in Europe on the rise
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection affecting the throat and larynx, primarily spread through airborne droplets or direct contact.
It has been part of Poland’s mandatory vaccination schedule, along with tetanus and pertussis, since the late 1950s and had been largely eliminated due to widespread immunization.
According to Poland’s National Institute of Public Health, only two cases were reported in 2024, one in 2023, and none in 2022.
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Source: IAR/PAP/GIS/X/@WHONigeria/@GIS_gov