Toxigenic and zoonotic Corynebacterium ulcerans emerges from widespread hedgehog disease

Toxin-producing Corynebacterium ulcerans, causing diphtheria in humans, were isolated from 53 diseased hedgehogs during spring 2020 in Belgium. Isolates showed low levels of acquired antimicrobial resistance. Pronounced strain diversity suggests emergence from an endemic situation. These findings stress the need for raising public awareness and improved wildlife disease surveillance.