Disease Information
Diphtheria is a bacterial disease characterized by a thick membrane in the back of the throat. The bacteria produce a toxin that can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, and even death. Diphtheria is now rare in the United States. The "DTaP" and "Tdap" vaccines protect against diphtheria as well as tetanus and pertussis ("whooping cough"); these vaccines are recommended for infants, children, teens and adults.
Disease Reporting
What is required?
Health Care Providers and Clinical Laboratories
Health care providers and clinical laboratories are
required by law to report cases and suspect cases of diphtheria to local health departments
immediately, day or night, after identification. Call 971-673-1111 to reach the state epidemiologist on call.
Cases are subject to
restriction on school and day-care attendance, food handling, and patient care while in the communicable stage of the disease. Diphtheria requires special isolation procedures. If sufficient measures have been taken to prevent transmission, or the disease is no longer communicable, worksite, child-care and school
restrictions can be removed by the local public health authority.
For Tribal and Local Public Health Authorities
See Also