What Australians Need to Know About Diphtheria (And Why It Matters Right Now)

If you've seen the news lately, you might have noticed that diphtheria has been making headlines across Australia for the first time in years. For most Australians, it's a disease that feels like something out of a history book, the kind of thing your grandparents might have worried about before vaccines changed everything.

But diphtheria is here, and it's spreading. And while the risk to the general population remains low, it's worth understanding what's actually happening, who's most at risk, and what you can do right now to protect yourself and your family.

What is diphtheria and how serious is it?

Think of diphtheria as a serious throat infection that can turn dangerous quickly if it's not treated. It's caused by bacteria, and while it can look like a bad sore throat at first, it has the potential to become much more than that.

According to the Australian Centre for Disease Control, one of the things that makes it distinctive is that it can form a thick, greyish coating inside the throat that makes it harder and harder to breathe and swallow. That's what makes it so dangerous if it's left untreated. On top of that, the bacteria release a toxin, basically a poison, that can travel through the body and affect the heart and nerves. This can cause serious complications even after the infection itself has cleared.

There's also a different version that shows up on the skin rather than the throat. This form, called cutaneous diphtheria, causes sores or ulcers that are very slow to heal. It's less likely to cause the life-threatening breathing problems associated with the throat version, but it's still contagious and needs proper care.

Before Australia introduced widespread vaccination in the 1940s, diphtheria was one of the most common causes of death in children. The reason most of us have never seen a case is because the vaccine has been so effective for so long.

Why are diphtheria cases increasing in Australia?

Cases of diphtheria have been rising in Australia since late 2025, and by early 2026 the numbers had jumped dramatically. To put it in perspective, the case count for 2026 so far is more than 18 times higher than the same period in 2025. That's a significant increase by any measure.

Most cases have been in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, particularly in remote Aboriginal communities. There have also been cases recorded in Queensland and South Australia. Both the throat and skin forms of diphtheria have been seen in this outbreak.

In May 2026, a person in the Northern Territory died from what is believed to be a diphtheria-related illness, according to SBS NTV. If confirmed, it would be the first death from diphtheria in Australia since 2018. The Australian Centre for Disease Control is aware and is awaiting the outcome of the NT government's investigation.

Around 91 to 95 per cent of cases have been among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and most are in remote or very remote communities. Health authorities are actively working with community organisations on vaccination programmes targeting the most vulnerable areas first.

How does diphtheria spread between people?

Diphtheria spreads much like a cold or flu. When someone who has it coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets carrying the bacteria travel through the air and can be breathed in by people nearby. That's how the throat version spreads. The skin version spreads differently, through direct contact with an infected sore.

One of the trickier things about diphtheria is that some people carry the bacteria without ever feeling sick themselves. They can still pass it on without knowing they're doing it. Someone can be contagious for up to a week before they notice any symptoms, and for up to six weeks after that if they don't get treatment. Antibiotics cut that window down considerably, which is one of the reasons getting diagnosed and treated quickly matters so much.

What are the symptoms of diphtheria?

With the throat version, symptoms usually show up somewhere between two and five days after being exposed, though it can take anywhere from one to ten days. In the early stages it can feel like an ordinary sore throat with a mild fever and not much appetite, which is part of what makes it easy to dismiss at first.

As it progresses, things can get more serious. The glands in the neck can swell noticeably, sometimes quite dramatically. A grey or white coating can develop over the throat and tonsils. Breathing and swallowing can become increasingly difficult. Those later symptoms are the warning signs that this needs urgent medical attention.

The skin version looks quite different. It causes sores or ulcers that form slowly and take a long time to heal, often much longer than you'd expect from a normal cut or wound.

If you or someone you're caring for has a sore throat with a fever and any trouble breathing or swallowing, don't wait and see. Call ahead to your GP clinic or hospital before you go in so staff can take appropriate precautions, and wear a mask if you have one available.

Who is most at risk from diphtheria in Australia?

Anyone who hasn't been vaccinated, or isn't up to date with their boosters, is at higher risk than someone who is fully covered. That sounds straightforward, but vaccination records are something a lot of people haven't checked in years, and boosters can quietly lapse without anyone noticing.

The current outbreak has hit hardest in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where access to healthcare and vaccination services can be limited. But vulnerability isn't limited to geography. More broadly, the people worth thinking about include parents with young children whose immunisation schedule might have gaps, adults who genuinely can't remember when they last had a booster, pregnant women who may not have been vaccinated during this pregnancy, and people who are planning to travel to or through affected areas in the NT, WA, QLD, or SA.

For healthcare workers and support coordinators working in or near affected areas, the recommendation is to check whether their last booster was more than five years ago. The standard recommendation for everyone else is every ten years, but that window is being tightened for those with closer exposure risk given the current situation.

The reassuring part is that if you're up to date with your vaccination, your protection is very strong. That's the main message here.

Does the diphtheria vaccine still work?

Yes, without any doubt. Every health authority in Australia is saying the same thing: getting vaccinated, or getting your booster, is the most effective thing you can do to protect yourself and the people around you.

The diphtheria vaccine doesn't come on its own. It's part of a combination shot that also covers tetanus and whooping cough, which you might know as pertussis. You may hear it referred to as DTP, DTPa, or dTpa depending on which version is used and who it's for, but they all include diphtheria protection. You don't need to remember the acronyms. Your GP will know exactly what you need.

For children, the vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program. It's given at two months, four months, six months, 18 months, four years, and again at 12 to 13 years through school-based programs. Pregnant women from 20 weeks are also eligible for a free dose, which passes some protection to the baby before they're old enough to be vaccinated themselves.

For adults, the recommendation is a booster every ten years. Many people have simply lost track of when their last one was, and that's completely understandable. The easiest thing to do is book an appointment with your GP and ask them to check your Australian Immunisation Register record. It takes a matter of minutes and takes the guesswork out of it.

If you're travelling to affected regions, it's worth having that conversation with your GP even if you're not quite at the ten-year mark yet.

How is diphtheria treated?

If someone is diagnosed with diphtheria, treatment happens in hospital. It's not something that can be managed at home, at least not in its throat form.

Doctors treat it with a course of antibiotics to clear the bacteria. In more serious cases, a second treatment called diphtheria antitoxin is also given. Antitoxin is essentially an emergency medicine that neutralises the poison the bacteria has already released into the body, which is what can damage the heart and nerves. The sooner it's given, the better the outcome, which is why getting to hospital quickly matters. Patients are kept in an isolation room during treatment to stop the infection spreading to others, and they're only cleared to leave once they're confirmed no longer infectious.

Completing the full antibiotic course is important, even if things start to improve before it's finished. Stopping early can allow the infection to come back.

For the skin version, the approach is different. Antibiotics are still used, but the wound itself also needs regular attention. Sores need to be cleaned consistently, kept covered, and watched carefully, because without proper ongoing care they can develop into long-term wounds that take months to close.

What should Australians do about the current diphtheria outbreak?

The most practical thing you can do today is check your vaccination status, and the status of anyone you're responsible for.

If you're a parent, have a look at your child's immunisation history. If you're not sure where the records are or whether everything is current, your GP can pull it up from the Australian Immunisation Register in seconds.

If you're an adult and you genuinely can't remember when your last booster was, that's reason enough to book a quick appointment and find out. It's a short conversation and a quick jab if one is due.

If you're a carer or support coordinator, particularly in aged care or disability settings, now is a good time to work through the vaccination status of the people you support and flag any gaps with their GP or health team. This kind of thing can easily fall through the cracks during busy care periods, and it's worth catching it now while there's a clear reason to look.

Wound Care Supplies for Cutaneous Diphtheria

If you or someone you're caring for has the skin form of diphtheria, one of the most important parts of recovery is keeping the sores properly covered and managed at home between appointments. These sores don't heal quickly, and because the wound can still carry the bacteria, good wound care isn't just about healing. It's also about reducing the risk of spreading the infection to others in the home through skin contact.

The practical goal is to keep the wound clean, covered, and as free from further infection as possible. Depending on the wound, you might also need to manage fluid if the sore is weeping. Your healthcare team will direct your overall care plan, but having the right products at home makes that plan easier to stick to.

1. Mölnlycke Mepilex Border Ag Silver Dressing

The Mölnlycke Mepilex Border Silver Dressing is a good all-round option for home wound care. It's a soft foam pad with gentle edges that stick to the skin around the wound without pulling or tearing when you take it off. That matters a lot when you're dealing with a wound that needs regular changing, or when the person you're caring for has sensitive skin. It's also waterproof, which means they can shower normally without needing extra tape or covers over the top.

In terms of infection control, it contains silver, which has a well-established role in fighting bacteria in wounds. The silver starts working within about 30 minutes and stays active for up to seven days, so you won't need to disturb the wound every day. For anyone managing wound care at home, that's a genuinely useful reduction in how often the dressing needs to be changed.

2. Mölnlycke Mextra Superabsorbent Dressing

If the wound is producing a lot of fluid, the Mölnlycke Mextra Superabsorbent Dressing is built specifically for that. It has a thick, highly absorbent inner layer that pulls fluid in and locks it away from the surrounding skin. This is important because when skin stays wet under a dressing for too long, it can start to break down, a process called maceration.

It's a common complication with weeping wounds and it makes healing slower and more difficult. The Mextra holds its structure even when it's completely saturated, so it won't collapse, fall apart, or leak onto clothing or bedding. It comes in a good range of sizes, which is helpful when a wound doesn't fit neatly into a standard pad.

3. Acticoat Three Day Antimicrobial Silver Barrier Dressing

Where infection control is the main priority, the Acticoat Three Day Antimicrobial Silver Barrier Dressing by Smith and Nephew is worth knowing about. It uses a form of silver called nanocrystalline silver, which releases steadily and works against a wide range of bacteria, including some strains that have become resistant to antibiotics. In plain terms, it's designed for wounds where keeping infection at bay is the priority.

It's meant to be changed every two to three days, which keeps the number of times you need to touch the wound low while still maintaining consistent protection. It comes in 5cm x 5cm and 10cm x 10cm sizes to suit different wound areas. It's usually lightly moistened with sterile water on application, and it sits comfortably under a secondary dressing or bandage if one is needed.

A reminder: all wound care for suspected or confirmed diphtheria should be directed by your healthcare team. The products above are options that your clinician may recommend, or that you can bring up with them when putting together a home care plan. If you'd like help working out what might suit your situation, our team at Platinum Health Supply is happy to help.

What should Australians realistically take away from the diphtheria outbreak?

Diphtheria coming back is a reminder that vaccines don't just protect the person who receives them. They protect everyone around that person too. When enough people are vaccinated, the disease simply can't find enough hosts to spread. When that coverage drops, even a disease that seemed gone for good can find its way back.

For most Australians, the risk from this outbreak is still low. But it's a useful prompt to take five minutes and check that you and your family are actually protected, rather than just assuming you are.

If you're not sure where your records are, your GP is the right starting point. They can check the Australian Immunisation Register and give you a clear picture in one appointment.

It's a small thing to sort out, and it's worth doing.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please speak with your GP or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.ShareProject contentBlog BriefsCreated by youAdd PDFs, documents, or other text to reference in this project.