Australia confirms first diphtheria death amid worst outbreak in decades

Australia has officially reported its first diphtheria-related death in nearly a decade, coinciding with the nation facing the most significant outbreak of this vaccine-preventable disease in several decades.

In March, the Northern Territory (NT) announced a diphtheria outbreak, with additional cases emerging in Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland. The increase in cases began in late 2025, culminating in a notable rise during February.

Thus far in 2026, Australia has documented 245 cases of diphtheria, representing the largest outbreak since 1991, predominantly affecting remote Indigenous communities.

On Tuesday, the NT Health Minister announced that autopsy findings from an overseas laboratory confirmed diphtheria as the cause of a man's death in April at Royal Darwin Hospital, marking the first such fatality since 2018.

In response to the situation, the government has intensified vaccination initiatives in high-risk areas, and health officials reported a decline in newly identified cases in recent weeks.

"Our government has taken this situation very seriously, and we are working diligently to understand the causes and contain the outbreak," stated NT Health Minister Steve Edgington.

Since March 30, a total of 10,407 vaccinations have been administered.

Between January of the previous year and May of this year, the NT experienced 163 cases of diphtheria, comprised of 48 respiratory cases and 115 cutaneous cases, the latter of which is spread through skin contact.

In March, health officials in Western Australia confirmed two instances of respiratory diphtheria, marking the first recorded cases of this type in over 50 years for the state.

This year, approximately 60% of cases have been reported in the Northern Territory, with around 36% in Western Australia; additional cases have appeared in South Australia and Queensland, albeit in smaller numbers.

Authorities are encouraging residents in affected communities to ensure their vaccinations are up to date, particularly among teenagers and adults who require booster shots.

Health officials in the NT have established pop-up clinics in Darwin, Katherine, and Alice Springs to promote the vaccination campaign, emphasizing that vaccinations are the "most important measure for preventing, protecting, and reducing transmission," according to NT Health.

Both forms of diphtheria—respiratory and cutaneous—are preventable through vaccination, which is generally administered to children in five doses between two months and four years of age, with a booster given during the ages of 12 to 13.

Respiratory diphtheria typically begins with symptoms such as fever or chills and a sore throat, which can progress to severe breathing and swallowing difficulties, posing potential life threats.

Conversely, cutaneous diphtheria usually results in infected sores or ulcers on exposed body parts that heal slowly, though it rarely leads to severe health complications.

According to the national broadcaster ABC, the last reported diphtheria fatality occurred in 2018.

Last week, Professor Michael Kidd, Australia's Chief Medical Officer, proclaimed diphtheria a communicable disease incident of national significance.

The government has also unveiled a AU$7.2 million funding package aimed at enhancing vaccination efforts and increasing resources in the impacted regions.