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Statement from Erie County Department of Health on Diphtheria Case
Monday, October 12, 2026The Erie County Department of Health confirmed one travel-related case of diphtheria in October. We expect this individual to make a full recovery. Our case investigation identified schools within the West Seneca Central School District that had been potential exposure sites for this illness. After completing our investigation, Erie County Department of Health has determined that, at this time, there is an extremely minimal, i.e., near zero, risk to the community.
Based on an abundance of caution, we are working with West Seneca school district leadership to inform students, staff and families about the potential exposure that may have occurred. Notifications included instructions to watch for diphtheria symptoms through October 18, 2026; and, to ensure that students, staff, and their households are up to date on diphtheria vaccines (DTaP, Tdap/Td).
We are working with school nursing staff to review student immunization status and may make additional individual notifications to students who are under-vaccinated or unvaccinated.
A century ago, diphtheria was a common cause of illness and death among U.S. children. After universal childhood vaccination began in the 1940s, diphtheria is now incredibly rare and the community transmission risk for this case is extremely low, near zero.
Because of U.S. recommendations for routine vaccination with DTap and Tdap/Td, diphtheria is a well-controlled disease, with just 10 cases reported in the U.S. in the past 20 years. Families can work with their child’s primary care provider to assess their children’s vaccine status and determine if they are up to date with their diphtheria and all vaccines. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccine for Children Program provides free vaccines to all uninsured or under-insured children so cost is not a barrier for any family.
Statement from Erie County Department of Health on Diphtheria Case | Erie County Dept of Health
The Erie County Department of Health confirmed one travel-related case of diphtheria in October. We expect this individual to make a full recovery. Our case investigation identified schools within the West Seneca Central School District that had been potential exposure sites for this illness...
www3.erie.gov
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Important Message From Dr. Krueger
October 12, 2026
10/12/2026
Dear West Seneca School Community,
I am writing to follow up the recent report regarding an individual in our school district who was diagnosed with diphtheria. Out of an abundance of caution, we communicated with faculty, staff and families of the schools where there may have been possible direct or in-direct contact in school or while on school bus transportation (East Middle, Clinton, Northwood, and Winchester-Potters Elementary Schools).I have had conversations with both our school physician, Dr. Prise, and the Epidemiologist team at the Erie County Department of Health to be certain that we are doing all that is recommended to ensure the safety of our faculty, staff and students before school resumes on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Through these conversations, I have learned that there have been only ten (10) cases of diphtheria in the United States over the past 20 years. Due to the rarity of diphtheria in the United States, there are nuances of this that we may be less familiar with compared to other bacterial infections or viruses. To learn more about diphtheria, please visit the CDC’s website at: (www.cdc.gov/diphtheria/about). The best way to prevent diphtheria infection is by staying up to date with diphtheria vaccinations. CDC recommends routine diphtheria vaccination for everyone.
We are following the standard and established cleaning and disinfecting protocols, which are recommended in a school setting to reduce diphtheria transmission. Today, staff will be working within the school where direct contact may have occurred and in our transportation department to ensure surfaces within the school and potentially affected buses have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Should you have any questions regarding your child’s health, please contact your child’s pediatrician.
Thank you,
Dr. Lisa Krueger
Superintendent of Schools
West Seneca Schools Mission
We are an educational community that encourages kindness, inspires confidence, and instills the belief that together we can achieve anything.
Jessica Shanahan
Communications & Digital Media Coordinator
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