Darwin: Australia is experiencing its most severe diphtheria outbreak in decades, with 245 cases reported since January, marking the highest number since 1991. Official laboratory autopsy results have confirmed the country's first diphtheria death since 2018. The deceased was a male who died at a hospital in Darwin, Western Australia, in April. Final toxicology results indicated the bacteria produced a potent, life-threatening toxin. A second suspected death in Alice Springs was confirmed not to be caused by diphtheria.

According to Thai News Agency, the Northern Territory is the area most affected by the outbreak, with 163 confirmed cases: 115 cases of cutaneous diphtheria and 48 cases of respiratory diphtheria. The disease has spread across borders to Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland. Approximately 70% of cases are cutaneous diphtheria, which presents as blistering or chronic sores on the skin, while the remaining 30% are respiratory diphtheria. This more severe form causes a thick, gray film in the throat, making breathing difficult, and bacterial toxins can damage the heart and nervous system.

The data also revealed that over 94 percent of those infected were indigenous people in remote communities, who often face problems with overcrowded housing and limited access to healthcare services. Epidemiologists point out that the most significant factor contributing to the resurgence of this ancient disease is the lowest vaccination rate in children in five years. In 2024, the full vaccination rate among 24-month-old children in Australia fell below 90 percent for the first time since 2016. Combined with post-COVID-19 anti-vaccine sentiment and online misinformation, this has resulted in a lack of herd immunity within communities.

The Australian federal government has approved A$7.2 million in emergency funding to support vaccine distribution, accelerate booster shots, provide medical supplies, and deploy medical teams to work with Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) to urgently control the outbreak using community-based approaches. To date, more than 10,000 vaccine doses have been administered in the Northern Territory over the past seven weeks.