Diphtheria Cases in Kimberley Triple in a Month

ABC Kimberley

Topic: Infectious Diseases

Diphtheria cases in Kimberley have tripled in a month.

In short:

Diphtheria rates in Western Australia's far north have more than tripled in a month.

Cases were recorded in Kimberley last year after 50 years.

What's next?

The state government is rolling out booster vaccinations.

Diphtheria cases have more than tripled in Western Australia's far north.

There are 27 notified cases of diphtheria in Kimberley.

Diphtheria is rare and affects areas with limited healthcare.

Diphtheria had not been detected in Kimberley for 50 years.

The reason for the outbreak is unknown.

What is diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection.

There are two types of diphtheria: respiratory and cutaneous.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent diphtheria.

Diphtheria can cause a membrane in the throat that can obstruct breathing.

The other form of diphtheria is skin infections.

The outbreak is transmitting readily for unknown reasons.

Diphtheria had been eradicated in Australia.

Cases have appeared in the Northern Territory and Kimberley.

Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease.

75% of cases are skin infections and 25% are respiratory.

There has been one life-threatening case.

What is being done?

Vaccination is the best form of protection.

Clinicians are being advised to remain alert for suspicious skin sores.

The WA Country Health Service is working closely with clinicians.

A contact tracing system has been created.

At-risk people are being supported to get booster vaccinations.

Targeted diphtheria vaccine booster programs have been rolled out.

Will it continue to spread?

Low vaccination rates and limited access to healthcare create a 'double whammy'.

It is likely the disease will continue to spread.

Communities are interconnected.

If there's an outbreak in one community, it may spread to others.

Diphtheria is extremely rare.

Up to one in 10 people with respiratory symptoms die.

Are there alternative solutions?

Expanding vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program is recommended.

Childhood vaccination is free, but adult vaccination is not.

Diphtheria vaccinations should be expanded to certain cohorts.

Pregnant women and refugees are included in the register.

The First Nations population should be included due to the Kimberley outbreak.

There's a resurgence of diphtheria after it was eradicated.

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