Diphtheria: Surveillance

As a nationally reportable disease in Canada, surveillance of diphtheria is conducted by public health professionals in provinces and territories. They report cases to the Public Health Agency of Canada through the Canadian Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (CNDSS).

Cases are reported by health care providers to public health units if:

• they present with symptoms,
• are laboratory confirmed, or
• have a known link to a laboratory confirmed case.

Case Definitions for Diseases under national surveillance: Diphtheria

• Case Definitions for Diseases under National Surveillance, 2009
• Case Definitions for Diseases under National Surveillance, 2000

For more information on diphtheria epidemiology, transmission, prevention and control, refer to information for Health Professionals.