| diphtheria epidemic in the republic of georgia, 1993-1997. | epidemic diphtheria reemerged in the republic of georgia in 1993. from 1993 to 1997, 1405 cases were reported (28 in 1993, 312 in 1994, 429 in 1995, 348 in 1996, and 288 in 1997), with a cumulative incidence of 25.8/100,000 and a case fatality ratio of 9.5%. during 1993-1997, 53% of the diphtheria cases occurred among persons >/=15 years of age. unvaccinated patients were more likely to have toxic forms (relative risk=2.24; 95% confidence interval=1.69-2.96) or to die of diphtheria (relative ris ... | 2000 | 10657196 |