Diphtheria in India: Trends, Antitoxin Availibility, and Challenges in Early Diagnosis

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated, potentially fatal infectious disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine for over seven decades, diphtheria continues to pose a significant public health challenge in India. The persistence of the disease reflects gaps in immunization coverage, waning immunity among adolescents and adults, delayed diagnosis, and limited access to diphtheria antitoxin (DAT). Periodic outbreaks reported from several Indian states underscore systemic weaknesses in surveillance, laboratory confirmation, and early clinical recognition. This review examines the epidemiology of diphtheria in India, historical and current trends, transmission dynamics, clinical manifestations, diagnostic challenges, antitoxin availability, government strategies, and recommended preventive and therapeutic measures. The article also highlights complications, public health implications, and future directions for diphtheria control and elimination in India.