Australia has recorded its first diphtheria death in almost a decade as the country grapples with the worst outbreak of the vaccine-preventable disease in decades. The Northern Territory (NT) declared an outbreak in March, with cases also in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.

Cases began rising in late 2025, with a sharp increase in February. This year, 245 cases have been reported, the largest outbreak since 1991, primarily in remote Indigenous communities. On Tuesday, NT Health Minister Steve Edgington said autopsy results from an overseas lab confirmed diphtheria as the cause of death of a man in April at Royal Darwin Hospital, the first such case since 2018.

“Our government has taken this situation very seriously, and we are working hard to understand the causes and working to contain the situation,” Edgington said. Since March 30, 10,407 vaccinations have been administered. Between January last year and May this year, NT reported 163 diphtheria cases: 48 respiratory and 115 cutaneous (spread via skin contact).

In March, Western Australia confirmed two respiratory diphtheria cases, the first in over 50 years. Sixty percent of this year’s cases are in NT, 36% in Western Australia, with a few in South Australia and Queensland. Authorities urge affected communities to update vaccinations, especially teenagers and adults needing boosters.

Pop-up clinics have been set up in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs. Both respiratory and cutaneous diphtheria are preventable via vaccine, typically given to children in five doses from two months to four years, with a booster at 12–13 years. Respiratory diphtheria can be life-threatening, starting with fever and sore throat.

Last week, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Prof Michael Kidd declared diphtheria a communicable disease incident of national significance. The government announced a AU$7.2 million package to boost vaccinations and resources in affected areas.

Source: www.bbc.com