Australia Records First Diphtheria Fatality in Decade Amidst Largest Outbreak Since 1991
Australia has confirmed its first diphtheria fatality in nearly a decade, occurring amidst the nation's most significant outbreak of the vaccine-preventable disease in over thirty years. The Northern Territory (NT) announced an outbreak in March, with subsequent cases identified in Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland.
This year, 245 cases have been recorded, marking the largest outbreak in Australia since 1991. The majority of these cases have been concentrated in remote Indigenous communities. On Tuesday, the NT's Health Minister disclosed that autopsy results from an overseas laboratory confirmed diphtheria as the cause of a man's death in April at Royal Darwin Hospital, representing the first such death since 2018.
In response, authorities have escalated vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas, leading to a reported decrease in new infections. NT Health Minister Steve Edgington stated that 10,407 vaccinations have been administered since 30th March. Between January of last year and May of this year, the NT documented 163 diphtheria cases, comprising 48 respiratory and 115 cutaneous infections. Western Australia confirmed two respiratory diphtheria cases in March, the first in over 50 years for the state.
Sixty per cent of this year's cases are in the Northern Territory, with approximately 36% in Western Australia, and fewer cases in South Australia and Queensland. Health officials are urging communities to update their vaccinations, particularly teenagers and adults requiring booster shots. Pop-up clinics have been established in Darwin, Katherine, and Alice Springs to promote vaccination, which NT Health describes as the 'most important measure for preventing, protecting and reducing transmission'.
Last week, Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, designated diphtheria as a communicable disease incident of national significance. The government also announced an AUD#7.2 million package to enhance vaccination programmes and resources in the affected areas.
