Editing Diphtheria (section)

== Epidemiology ==
[[File:Diphtheria world map - DALY - WHO2004.svg|upright=1.3|thumb|[[Disability-adjusted life year]] for diphtheria per 100,000&nbsp;inhabitants in 2004:{{Div col|small=yes|colwidth=10em}}
{{legend|#b3b3b3|no data}}
{{legend|#ffff65|≤ 1}}
{{legend|#fff200|1–2}}
{{legend|#ffdc00|2–3}}
{{legend|#ffc600|3–4}}
{{legend|#ffb000|4–5}}
{{legend|#ff9a00|5–6}}
{{legend|#ff8400|6–7}}
{{legend|#ff6e00|7–9}}
{{legend|#ff5800|9–10}}
{{legend|#ff4200|10–15}}
{{legend|#ff2c00|15–50}}
{{legend|#cb0000|≥ 50}}
{{div col end}}]]
[[File:Diphtheria_Cases_-_1997_-_2006.svg|upright=1.3|thumb|Diphtheria cases reported to the [[World Health Organization]] between 1997 and 2006:
{{legend|#C0C0C0|no data}}
{{legend|#E0E080|1–49 reported cases}}
{{legend|#E08040|Between 50–99 reported cases}}
{{legend|#FF0000|Over 100 reported cases}}]]

Diphtheria is fatal in 5–10% of cases. In children under five years and adults over 40 years, the fatality rate may be as much as 20%.<ref name="Pinkbook" /> In 2013, it resulted in 3,300 deaths, down from 8,000 deaths in 1990.<ref name="GDB2013" /> Better standards of living, mass immunization, improved diagnosis, prompt treatment, and more effective health care have led to a decrease in cases worldwide.<ref name=":0" />