Australia Records First Diphtheria Death in Years as Cases Surge in Remote Communities
Last update: May 26, 2026
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For the first time since 2018, diphtheria has claimed a life in Australia — and it’s part of the country’s biggest outbreak in over three decades.
As reported by cbinews.tv, Australia is battling its worst diphtheria outbreak since 1991, with 245 cases recorded so far this year. Tragically, it’s also led to the first death from the disease in nearly a decade.
What’s happening on the ground
- The death confirmed: In April, a man passed away at Royal Darwin Hospital. Autopsy results from an overseas lab, confirmed this Tuesday, found diphtheria was the cause — the first fatal case since 2018.
- Where it’s spreading: Cases started climbing in late 2025, with a sharp spike in February. The outbreak was officially declared in the Northern Territory (NT) in March, but it’s also shown up in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.
- Who’s most affected: Remote Indigenous communities are bearing the brunt. 60% of this year’s cases are in the NT, with WA making up about 36%.
Numbers you should know
- 245 cases in 2025 — the highest since 1991.
- 163 cases in NT alone between Jan 2024 and May 2026: 48 respiratory and 115 cutaneous cases.
- 10,407 vaccinations delivered in NT since 30 March.
- First WA respiratory cases in 50+ years were confirmed in March.
How officials are responding
NT Health Minister Steve Edgington said the government is “taking this situation very seriously” and working to contain it. The push right now is all about jabs. Pop-up clinics have been set up in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs to boost awareness and get people vaccinated.
Health officials say new case numbers are finally starting to fall thanks to ramped-up vaccination efforts in high-risk areas.
Quick reminder: The two types of diphtheria
Respiratory diphtheria
Kicks off with fever, chills and a sore throat. It can make breathing and swallowing difficult and may become life-threatening.
Cutaneous diphtheria
Spreads through skin contact and causes infected sores or ulcers on exposed areas. It’s slow to heal but rarely severe.
Both strains are preventable with a vaccine. Kids usually get five doses between two months and four years old, plus a booster at 12–13. Teens and adults in affected communities are now being urged to get their boosters updated.
As NT Health put it, vaccines are the “most important measure for preventing, protecting and reducing transmission.”
Source: cbinews.tv
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