WA health authorities issue urgent vaccination plea as life-threatening Diphtheria outbreak climbs to 60

Health authorities in Western Australia are urging people to get vaccinated against diphtheria, after 60 cases were recorded in just five months.

WA Health reported most of the cases occurred in Indigenous Australians in the Kimberley, while a small number were reported in the Pilbara and Goldfields.

“Cases have primarily occurred in children and young adults, with a smaller number spread across older age groups,” a spokesman said.

“These figures reinforce the importance of maintaining strong vaccination coverage across all age groups, particularly in regional communities.”

Diphtheria is a life-threatening disease that presents as a sore throat, skin infections and spreads through close contact with respiratory droplets, infected skin sores or contaminated items such as bandages and shared towels.

A WA Health spokesman said respiratory diphtheria usually began with fever or chills and a sore throat and could progress to cause a thick coating in the throat that made breathing or swallowing hard.

Cutaneous diphtheria usually caused infected sores or ulcers on exposed parts of the body that were slow to heal.

“It rarely leads to severe illness but contributes to spread of diphtheria bacteria in the community,” a spokesman said.

Chief health officer Dr Clare Huppatz said the disease has been rare in Australia due to high vaccination rates and improved living conditions

“Respiratory diphtheria has not been seen in WA for more than 50 years, and diphtheria skin infections have become rare,” she said.

“However, cases have re-emerged in the last few years in parts of northern Australia, including the Northern Territory which has also recently declared a diphtheria outbreak.”

Dr Huppatz said the outbreak was a reminder that booster doses of diphtheria vaccine were important to maintain immunity in teens and adults.

She said the vaccine was usually given in combination with tetanus and pertussis.

“We are seeing cases concentrated in some regional areas, which is why it is especially important that people of all ages living, working in or travelling to these communities are up to date with their vaccinations,” she said.

“People who have previously been vaccinated and live in the affected regions can receive a diphtheria booster dose if it has been more than five years since their last vaccination – this is especially important for Aboriginal people and healthcare workers in these regions, who are at higher risk of exposure.

“Anyone who is unvaccinated or unsure of their status should speak with their GP or health provider about starting a vaccination course.

“Parents and carers should ensure children receive their routine vaccinations on time, including all recommended booster doses.”