Australia Reports First Diphtheria Fatality in Years During Significant Outbreak

Australia has confirmed its first death from diphtheria in nearly ten years, as the nation contends with the most severe outbreak of the vaccine-preventable illness in decades. The Northern Territory (NT) officially declared an outbreak in March, with subsequent cases emerging in Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland. While case numbers began to climb in late 2025, a significant surge occurred in February. To date, this year has seen 245 confirmed infections, representing the largest outbreak since 1991, with the majority of cases concentrated in remote Indigenous communities.

On Tuesday, Northern Territory Health Minister Steve Edgington announced that an overseas laboratory had identified diphtheria as the cause of a man’s death in April at Royal Darwin Hospital. This marks the first fatality from the disease in the region since 2018. In response to the crisis, government health efforts have intensified in high-risk zones, with officials reporting a recent decline in new infections.

"Our government has taken this situation very seriously, and we are working hard to understand the causes and working to contain the situation," Minister Edgington stated. He noted that 10,407 vaccinations have been administered since March 30. Historical data from the NT shows that between January of the previous year and May of this year, 163 cases were recorded, comprising 48 respiratory instances and 115 cutaneous cases, the latter of which spreads through skin contact.

The outbreak has also impacted Western Australia, where health authorities confirmed two cases of respiratory diphtheria in March—the first such occurrences in the state in over 50 years. Geographically, the Northern Territory accounts for 60% of this year’s cases, followed by Western Australia at approximately 36%, with minor numbers reported in South Australia and Queensland.

Health officials are urging communities to update their immunizations, particularly targeting teenagers and adults who require booster doses. To support this initiative, NT health services have established pop-up clinics in Darwin, Katherine, and Alice Springs to promote the vaccination campaign. NT Health emphasized that vaccines remain the "most important measure for preventing, protecting and reducing transmission."

Both respiratory and cutaneous forms of diphtheria are preventable through immunization. The standard schedule involves five doses administered to children between the ages of two months and four years, followed by a booster between ages 12 and 13. Respiratory diphtheria typically presents with fever, chills, and a sore throat that may progress to life-threatening breathing and swallowing difficulties. Conversely, cutaneous diphtheria manifests as infected sores or ulcers on exposed skin; while these lesions heal slowly, they rarely result in severe illness.

According to the national broadcaster ABC, the previous reported diphtheria death occurred in 2018. In light of the current situation, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, declared diphtheria a communicable disease incident of national significance last week. Additionally, the government has allocated a AU$7.2 million package to enhance vaccination efforts and resources in the affected regions.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-26 07:09:38 UTC