A Serious Outbreak of Diphtheria in the Northern Territory
The Northern Territory has recorded its first reported death from diphtheria in almost a decade, according to the public health medical officer at the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, John Boffa. This development highlights the growing concerns around the spread of this vaccine-preventable disease.
Diphtheria is a serious respiratory infection that can be deadly if left untreated. The strain currently affecting the region is particularly concerning, as it has led to multiple hospitalisations and intensive care admissions. Dr Boffa revealed that the death occurred several weeks ago in a remote area, although the exact details are still under investigation.
The Spread of Diphtheria Across the NT
NT Health has been contacted for further comment on the situation. In March, the NT Health Department declared an outbreak of the disease for the first time since the 1990s. According to a report from the Australian Centre for Disease Control, the last recorded death from diphtheria in Australia was in 2018, when an unvaccinated adult contracted respiratory diphtheria.
Dr Boffa noted that the current case numbers for both respiratory and cutaneous diphtheria have surpassed 100, with many patients requiring intensive care. The latest data from the Centre for Disease Control indicates that the majority of locally acquired cases are among residents in ‘outer regional’, remote, or very remote areas, with over 98% of cases involving Indigenous Australians.
Vaccinations Are Key to Controlling the Outbreak
Dr Boffa emphasized that the majority of people who are becoming seriously ill after contracting diphtheria are either unvaccinated or have not received a booster shot in the recommended timeframe. He stressed the importance of the vaccine, stating:
“It’s a tried and proven and effective vaccine — it is the way we will get on top of this outbreak.”
Cases have been reported in Western Australia, Queensland, and South Australia, with a total of 161 confirmed cases nationwide. The Centre for Disease Control is investigating the reasons behind the current outbreak, with Dr Boffa suggesting that vaccine hesitancy since the COVID-19 pandemic could be a contributing factor. Additionally, lagging vaccination rates in remote areas are being scrutinized.
While childhood vaccination coverage remains high, Dr Boffa pointed out that teenagers and adults need to receive booster shots. He explained:
“Some late adolescents are getting sick because they haven’t had a dose since they were 12 and adults need a booster now if it’s been more than five years.”
Federal Funding to Support the Response
Dr Boffa mentioned that federal resources are “on the way” to assist with delivering vaccinations and boosters, especially to vulnerable populations. He said:
“I understand the Commonwealth is going to make a very significant additional contribution to the Territory over six months and that’s what we need.”
However, the outbreak is placing added pressure on already stretched primary healthcare clinics in the NT. Dr Boffa highlighted the challenges faced by these clinics:
“We have clinics which are struggling anyway to deliver routine primary healthcare. We don’t want to have to divert essential primary healthcare resources into this, but right now we have to because we don’t have a surge workforce or additional resources.”
He stressed the urgency of swift access to federal resources to stem the spread of the disease. Dr Boffa added:
“We don’t want to be taking three or four years to get boosters into people’s arms. We need to get it done quickly and people need to be aware that this is a potentially life-threatening disease and they need to get boosted.”
A Historical Perspective on Diphtheria
Diphtheria has long been a feared childhood disease due to its devastating outbreaks. The infection was a common cause of death in children up until the 1940s, when a vaccine was widely rolled out. Since then, the disease has become rare in developed countries, thanks to vaccination programs. However, the recent outbreak in the NT serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent such diseases from resurging.
