Diphtheria Outbreak Emerges in Western Australia After Half a Century Dormancy

Australia is grappling with its most severe diphtheria outbreak in many years, prompting officials to urge citizens to ensure their vaccinations are current as the number of infections increases.

Cases have surged into the hundreds across three states and one territory, with declining vaccination rates identified as a key factor in the spread of this typically uncommon respiratory illness.

Western Australia is particularly hard-hit, accounting for approximately 40% of the country’s diphtheria cases, with the Kimberley region identified as a hotspot for the outbreak.

Remarkably, the respiratory form of the disease had not appeared in Western Australia for nearly half a century until this recent surge, according to health officials.

In response, public health teams are actively conducting contact tracing in affected areas to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.

Authorities have urged people to check they and their families are up to date with their vaccinations.

“When vaccination rates fall, serious diseases, which we had largely eliminated, can make a comeback,” Australian Medical Association president Danielle McMullen said.

“We are seeing that risk play out with diphtheria.”

There were 226 recorded diphtheria cases in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia on Wednesday, up from 223 on Tuesday.

Almost all the cases have involved Indigenous Australians, prompting health authorities to work with Aboriginal agencies to try to curb the outbreak, including the provision of vaccines.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the current outbreak was about 30 times greater than the average number of diphtheria cases nationally over the last five years.

“It is a very, very concerning outbreak,” he told ABC News.

WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the outbreak, which grew by three cases from 79 to 82 overnight, was centred in the Kimberley region.

“We are taking the outbreak in the community very seriously,” she said.

“We’re doing everything we can to, in fact, not just limit it, but bring it to an end.”

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can affect the nose, throat, airways or skin.

In severe cases, respiratory diphtheria can obstruct breathing, and the toxin can cause life-threatening complications, including heart and nerve damage.

The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends routine vaccination as a primary course for infants and routine boosters for adolescents and adults in certain circumstances, because vaccination remains the strongest protection against this preventable disease.

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