Arabic version: أستراليا تواجه أكبر تفشي للدفتيريا منذ عقود
Health officials are urging the public to get vaccinated against diphtheria, particularly those in high-risk communities, marking the largest outbreak since national records began in 1991. About 220 cases have been recorded around the country, with significant concentrations in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. According to ABC News, the Northern Territory alone has recorded 155 cases since January 1, 2026, highlighting the urgency for vaccinations.
The federal government, led by Health Minister Mark Butler, is developing a support package primarily aimed at boosting vaccination rates to combat the outbreak. The Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 94 percent of the cases identified since January 1 have involved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In light of the outbreak, health officials recommend that Aboriginal individuals receive diphtheria boosters every five years instead of the previous ten-year interval.
Dr. Paul Burgess, the chief health officer for the Northern Territory, confirmed that one person with diphtheria has died, marking the first death from the disease in almost a decade. He noted that while the individual had a diphtheria infection, determining the exact cause of death remains complex.
Concerns are also rising in Queensland, where health officials are preparing for potential increases in case numbers. Manjit Sekhon, chief executive of Gidgee Healing, warned that geographical proximity to affected areas raises the risk of infection spreading into Far North Queensland. Meanwhile, Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Marianne Gale stated that there is not currently a broad community risk, advising residents to ensure they are vaccinated if they are traveling to or hosting visitors from affected regions.
The CDC indicated that the strain of diphtheria currently circulating may have emerged recently, although it might have been present for some time. Public health experts emphasize the need for improved access to vaccinations in remote communities to prevent further spread of diphtheria. Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection, can be life-threatening but is vaccine-preventable and treatable with antibiotics. Historically, the disease has been largely eliminated in Australia since vaccination efforts began in the 1930s.
