Diphtheria Cases Triple in the Northern Territory
By Tilda Colling
Disease Outbreak
Diphtheria is a disease that can be stopped with a vaccine and has caused many deaths in the past.
In short:
The Northern Territory's Centre for Disease Control says 18 people now have a bad form of diphtheria, up from four last month.
Most of the people who have gotten sick are Aboriginal.
The Health Department and Aboriginal health groups want everyone to get their shots.
Cases of a bad form of diphtheria have more than quadrupled in a month.
Diphtheria is a disease that can be stopped with a vaccine and can be deadly if not treated.
Last month, the NT Health Department said there was an outbreak of diphtheria for the first time since the 1990s.
The Centre for Disease Control said it knew of four cases of one form of diphtheria and 33 cases of another form since 2025.
Now, there are 18 known cases of one form and 66 cases of the other form since 2025.
The Northern Territory is not the only place where diphtheria has come back, with cases in Western Australia's far north also rising.
What is diphtheria?
There are two forms of diphtheria in the NT: one that affects the lungs and one that affects the skin.
Both forms are very contagious and can be stopped with a vaccine.
The diphtheria outbreak in the Northern Territory is getting worse.
One form of diphtheria can be life-threatening if not treated.
Symptoms can include a sore throat and fever.
The other form of diphtheria can cause sores on the skin.
Diphtheria is found all over the NT
The NT's chief health officer said the disease is mostly affecting Aboriginal people.
Most of the cases are in all parts of the NT, including remote areas.
The disease likely came from another state.
The chief health officer said diphtheria is mostly affecting Indigenous people.
There was an outbreak of diphtheria in North Queensland and Western Australia.
Get vaccinated
The Aboriginal health group AMSANT is working with the NT Health Department to respond to the outbreak.
The CEO of AMSANT said people should get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families.
Overcrowding and lack of access to healthcare can make it easier for the disease to spread.
The outbreak affects the most vulnerable people, so the response must be targeted and culturally safe.
Vaccinated people are less likely to get very sick, and treatment is available if caught early.
The CEO of AMSANT is urging people to get vaccinated.
The vaccine for diphtheria is only available in combination with other vaccines.
Children can get vaccinated for free at certain ages.
Adults should get vaccinated every 10 years, and pregnant women between 20 and 32 weeks.
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