May 20, 2026, 12:42 p.mMay 20, 2026, 12:42 p.m
Australia is battling its worst outbreak of diphtheria in decades, according to health authorities.
More than 220 people have already been infected, with the north of the country particularly affected. The main reason for the spread is a sharp decline in vaccination rates, reported the ABC broadcaster, citing the government in Canberra.
The distribution of cases in Australia.Image: www.imago-images.de
New data showed that the rate of standard vaccinations for children, which includes basic immunization against diphtheria, has fallen for the fifth year in a row. The authorities are now preparing a support package to expand vaccination campaigns and relieve the strained health sector.
Health Minister Mark Butler spoke of a “very worrying” outbreak. “To put that in context, we’ve been tracking case numbers nationwide for about 35 years, and this is by far the largest diphtheria outbreak we’ve ever seen,” he said. The number of illnesses is around 30 times higher than the average over the past five years.
This is diphtheria
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infectious disease. The respiratory form can affect the nose, throat and airways, while the so-called cutaneous diphtheria affects the skin. It spreads through respiratory droplets when coughing or sneezing or through direct contact with infected wounds. Despite antibiotics, according to health authorities, around ten percent of patients with severe respiratory symptoms die.
Particularly affected by the outbreak are Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, where people often live in close quarters and there are healthcare staff shortages. There are now cases in other states too. The disease has been considered almost eradicated in Australia since the 1950s.
Death is under investigation
Around a quarter of patients with the more dangerous respiratory form of the disease have to be treated in hospital, it was said. Authorities are also currently investigating a possible death – it would be the first diphtheria death in Australia in almost ten years.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), around 16,600 cases of diphtheria were reported from 39 countries worldwide in 2018. By far the most cases of illness occurred in India. There are hardly any cases in Germany today. “You should continue to vaccinate against diphtheria both for your own protection and to maintain community protection in the population,” advises the Robert Koch Institute. (sda/dpa)