Diphtheria is a bacterial disease that is passed from person to person through respiratory droplets or close physical contact. It attacks the respiratory system, making breathing difficult, and can damage the heart and nervous system.
Diphtheria was once a major cause of illness and death among children in the U.S., but infection rates dropped rapidly after vaccination began in the 1920s. Diphtheria vaccine is now a standard part of childhood disease immunization, and no cases of the disease have been reported in Mississippi for at least 15 years.
Additional ResourcesFor more information contact:
- Your local health office, or call our Health Info Hotline at 1-866-HLTHY4U (1-866-458-4948)
