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Australia Faces 'Biggest Diphtheria Outbreak' in Decades
Health authorities are expanding vaccination, booster and contact-tracing efforts as 25% of cases have been hospitalised, officials said.
- Australia recorded 226 diphtheria cases across the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia on Wednesday, with Federal Health Minister Mark Butler describing the outbreak as "serious."
- Falling vaccination rates, which hit a five-year low in 2025, drive the outbreak, compounded by overcrowding and limited health access in remote Aboriginal communities.
- Since January 1, 94 per cent of cases involved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with approximately 25 per cent of patients requiring hospitalization for the contagious respiratory illness.
- Minister Butler is finalizing a federal support package including surge staffing and additional vaccines, partnering with the Northern Territory government and Aboriginal-controlled health services.
- A suspected diphtheria-related death in the Northern Territory remains under investigation, which if confirmed would mark the first fatality from the disease in Australia in almost a decade.
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Australia is grappling with the largest diphtheria outbreak in decades. More than 220 people have already been infected, primarily in the north of the country. The main cause is a sharp drop in vaccination rates, broadcaster ABC reports, citing information from the government in Canberra.
·Kobbegem, Belgium
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Australia reports the most severe diphtheria outbreak in decades. Indigenous communities are particularly affected. What is the reason for this?
Coverage Details
Total News Sources36
Leaning Left10Leaning Right7Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Left
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
45% Left
L 45%
C 23%
R 32%
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