Between June 2024 and August 2025, Mogadishu and surrounding districts experienced an unprecedented surge in diphtheria cases, escalating from 49 confirmed cases in 2024 to 497 in 2025, with deaths tripling from 13 to 42. De Martino Public Hospital, Somalia’s primary referral institution, documented this alarming trend, noting that the outbreak disproportionately affected vulnerable groups—particularly children and women—and exposed gaps in vaccination coverage, early detection, and access to timely care. The report serves as both a technical analysis and a moral call for coordinated action from national, regional, and international health partners.
The findings reveal a 914% year-over-year increase in cases, with April 2025 marking the start of a steep rise that peaked in August. Mortality was notably higher among patients referred from home, highlighting the urgency of early hospital intervention. High-burden districts such as Karan, Yaqshiid, and Deyniile emerged as hotspots, demanding targeted vaccination campaigns and resource allocation. The report concludes that immediate, unified action—combining vaccine outreach, medical supply distribution, technical support, and community education—is essential to contain the outbreak and avert a wider public health crisis.
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