[Epidemiologic situation of diphtheria in the European region of the World Health Organization in 1992 and during the first half of 1993].

In sixties and seventies small number of diphtheria cases was registered in European countries and diphtheria seems to go to be eliminated. Between 1982 and 1985 the first wave of diphtheria epidemic, and since 1990 the second wave were observes. Majority of cases during the first epidemic was registered in Soviet Union, but also in Germany, Italy, Portugal, Turkey and Sweden. Since 1990 increasing numbers of cases were registered in Russia and Ukraine. Some imported cases from these countries were observed in Bielorussia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Finland, Norway. Prophylactic measures undertaken in Russia and Ukraine were not sufficient. Shortage of vaccines were the most important reason of this situation. In 1992 one case and in first six months of 1993 five cases of diphtheria were imported in Poland. Production of Td vaccine started in Poland in 1991 and vaccination of adolescents in 19 as well as vaccination of some risk groups were introduced especially in the east port of country.