Update: diphtheria epidemic–New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union, January 1995-March 1996

Epidemic diphtheria reemerged in the New Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union, beginning in the Russian Federation in 1990 and affecting all 15 NIS by the end of 1994. Approximately 90% of all diphtheria cases reported worldwide during 1990-1995 were reported from the NIS (World Health Organization [WHO], unpublished data, 1996). During 1993-1994, WHO, partner organizations, and national ministries of health developed a strategy to control the epidemic with a priority goal of achieving coverage of >90% among persons aged > or = 3 years with a single dose of diphtheria toxoid through mass vaccination campaigns and achieving coverage for routine childhood vaccination (i.e., four doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine by age 2 years) of >95%. This report summarizes data provided to WHO about the incidence of diphtheria and efforts to implement control measures in the NIS during 1995 and January-March 1996.