Sydney: Australia is battling its largest diphtheria outbreak in more than three decades, with health authorities confirming hundreds of infections across the country and at least one death linked to the disease. The sudden rise in cases has raised serious concerns among medical experts, especially in remote and Indigenous communities where vaccination rates remain low.
According to Australian health officials, more than 240 diphtheria cases have been reported this year, making it the worst outbreak recorded in the country since national monitoring began in the early 1990s. In recent years, Australia usually recorded fewer than a dozen cases annually, making the current situation highly unusual and alarming.
The outbreak has mainly affected the Northern Territory and parts of Western Australia, including remote areas in the Kimberley region. Smaller numbers of infections have also been detected in Queensland and South Australia. Health workers say many cases are being found in isolated communities where medical access is limited and awareness about booster vaccinations is low.
Authorities confirmed that a man died in April at Royal Darwin Hospital after contracting diphtheria. Medical investigations later identified the disease as the cause of death. Officials earlier examined another possible death in Central Australia but later clarified that it was not connected to diphtheria.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can spread through coughing, sneezing or close contact with an infected person. The disease mainly affects the throat and nose and can become life threatening if not treated quickly. Patients often develop symptoms such as fever, sore throat, weakness and swollen glands. In severe cases, breathing becomes difficult and the infection can damage the heart and nervous system.
Health experts say the current outbreak includes both respiratory diphtheria and cutaneous diphtheria, which affects the skin. Respiratory diphtheria is considered more dangerous because it can block the airways and lead to serious complications. Skin infections usually appear as painful sores or ulcers and can also spread bacteria to others.
Medical experts believe the outbreak has been worsened by falling vaccination rates and delays in booster doses among adults. While most Australian children receive routine vaccines, many adults have missed booster shots that are needed to maintain long term protection. Authorities are especially worried about remote Aboriginal communities where healthcare services are harder to reach.
Public health teams have now launched emergency vaccination campaigns across affected regions. Thousands of vaccine doses have already been administered, with nurses and medical teams travelling to isolated communities to provide treatment and booster injections. Some areas have also increased health awareness campaigns in schools and community centres.
Australian authorities are advising people living in high risk areas to take booster vaccines every five years instead of every ten years during the outbreak period. Health officials are also encouraging anyone with symptoms to seek medical care immediately to prevent further spread of the disease.
Despite the growing number of cases, doctors say vaccination continues to provide strong protection against severe illness and death. Most infected people who had previously received vaccines experienced milder symptoms compared to unvaccinated patients.
Health experts say the outbreak is a reminder that diseases once thought to be under control can return when vaccination coverage falls. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while working to stop further transmission across the country.