Australia Faces First Diphtheria Death in Decades
Australia has confirmed its first diphtheria death in decades, marking a significant public health concern as the nation works to contain what is being described as the worst outbreak of the bacterial infection in recent history. The fatality was reported in the Northern Territory, where officials have been closely monitoring the situation.
Dr Paul Burgess, the chief health officer of the Northern Territory, confirmed that a man who passed away in Darwin last month had died from diphtheria. This marks the first time since 2018 that a diphtheria-related death has occurred in the country. Diphtheria is a serious illness that can lead to swollen glands, breathing difficulties, and fever. It primarily affects children, although it can occur in people of all ages.
The disease was nearly eradicated in Australia following a widespread vaccination campaign that began in the 1930s. However, the current outbreak has been linked to a decline in vaccination rates. Officials noted that cases started to rise in late 2025, leading to the declaration of an outbreak in March this year by the Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control.
Cases have since been reported in Queensland and South Australia, but there are signs that the spread is slowing down. In the past seven days, only nine new cases were recorded, compared to 22 at the peak of the outbreak.
Health Minister Steve Edgington highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that the Northern Territory had recorded 163 diphtheria cases, with 115 involving skin infections and 48 being the more dangerous respiratory form. He also mentioned that the autopsy report for the deceased individual, who passed away at the Royal Darwin Hospital in April, had been finalized overseas. The report confirmed that the diphtheria bacteria was producing a toxin that could cause the observed health effects, making it likely the cause of death.
Dr Burgess clarified that a second suspected diphtheria death had been ruled out. He emphasized that the death of a patient in Alice Springs Hospital was not related to diphtheria. He also praised the efforts to improve vaccination rates in the Northern Territory, noting that over 10,000 vaccines had been administered in the past seven weeks alone.
Most of the confirmed diphtheria cases have involved Indigenous Australians, prompting health authorities to collaborate with Aboriginal agencies to enhance immunisation efforts. Dr Burgess stated that the disease was largely eradicated in Australia during the 1940s due to successful immunisation campaigns. He described the current outbreak as unusual and the worst since records began.
Public health experts are still working to understand the characteristics of the current strain of the bacteria. Dr Burgess suggested that the strain may have been imported into northern Queensland around 2022.
Diphtheria spreads through contact with the coughs or sneezes of an infected person, as well as through shared items such as cups, cutlery, clothing, or bedding. Symptoms typically appear between two to five days after infection and may include a thick grey-white coating on the back of the throat, nose, and tongue, along with fever, sore throat, swollen neck glands, and difficulty swallowing or breathing.
In the case of cutaneous diphtheria, which affects the skin, patients may develop pus-filled blisters on their legs, feet, or hands, along with large ulcers surrounded by red, sore-looking skin. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to preventing severe complications and reducing the risk of transmission.
