First death from diphtheria registered in Czechia since 1969

An 82-year-old man has died of diphtheria in Czechia, the first fatality from this cause recorded in the country since 1969, the State Health Institute announced in a press release on Wednesday.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious and potentially fatal infection that can affect the nose and throat, and sometimes the skin. It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure and paralysis.

The disease re-appeared in Czechia in 2022 after a break of seven years. This year, doctors have so far registered six cases of the disease.

Czech children are vaccinated against the disease on a compulsory basis. However, experts say it appears that antibodies gradually disappear in adulthood and recommend re-vaccination.