Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It primarily affects the nose and throat, forming a thick gray membrane, but can also involve the skin. While rare in vaccinated populations, it can be life-threatening if untreated.
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Diphtheria has a long and devastating history, causing major epidemics globally, especially among children, before the 20th century. The bacterium responsible, *Corynebacterium diphtheriae*, was identified by Edwin Klebs in 1884. The development of an antitoxin and later a highly effective vaccine dramatically reduced its incidence and mortality, making its control a major public health success story.
Diphtheria primarily spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets released when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or talks. Less commonly, it can be transmitted through direct contact with infected skin lesions or contaminated objects. Close and prolonged contact is generally required for transmission.
Contagious Period: Varies by disease
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Australia is experiencing its biggest diphtheria outbreak in decades, with the serious bacterial infection spreading across Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. The health minister has expressed significant concern over this widespread public health emergency.
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First reported: 2026-05-19
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A second diphtheria-related death in the Northern Territory has underscored the spread of the rare bacterial infection across jurisdictions as health authorities continue tracking an outbreak not seen in decades.
The ABC has confirmed a man in his early 60s has died after contracting diphtheria in the Northern Territory.
He had pre-existing heart conditions and was from a remote Central Australian community before dying at Alice Springs Hospital on Sunday.
It marks the second reported death li
📰 24 news sources reporting on this story.
A person in Australia has been killed by diphtheria for the first time in almost a decade, a public health official has announced
John Boffa, a public medical officer at the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, told the ABC that an individual has died from the bacterial infection in the Northern Territory.
Dr Boffa said the deceased had been living in a remote part of the NT and had died within the past few weeks.
The reported death is the first fatal case of diphtheria in Australia since 2
Vaccination coverage in Romania has dropped to a worrying level, representatives of the Romanian Pro-Vaccination Forum warned on Tuesday, marking World Immunization Week (24-30 April). The forum called on the entire medical community and public health partners to keep science at the centre of vaccination discussions and to support informed decisions through clear and empathetic communication. According to the World Health Organization, vaccines save lives, prevent severe complications and significantly reduce the incidence of infectious diseases. Globally, vaccination has saved six lives every minute for over five decades. In Europe, polio was eradicated in 2002, while between 2000 and 2024 rubella cases fell by more than 99%, diphtheria by over 90% and mumps by more than 95%. Flu vaccinat...
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Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The Northern Territory and Western Australia are experiencing outbreaks of an almost-eradicated infection, diphtheria. The NT has recorded 17 cases of respiratory diphtheria in the past month and 60 cases of the less serious cutaneous diphtheria, affecting the skin, in the past year. In the Kimberley region of WA, 27 cases have been reported in the past month alone, with one-quarter of those respiratory infections. Cases have also been found in Queensland (two) and South Australia (one) this year. Historically, diphtheria was a leading cause of childhood death globally. More than 4,000 Australians died from diphtheria between 1926 and 1935. Vaccination started in Australia in the 1930s and the disease has rarely been see...
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Jaipur: Three districts once flagged for low vaccine uptake -- Alwar, Bharatpur and Deeg -- have recorded significant gains in full immunisation coverage, marking a turnaround in areas long affected by resistance and misinformation, health officials said Tuesday during World Immunisation Week (April 24-30).The improvement follows an intensified drive targeting "uncovered" pockets after Deeg reported seven child deaths due to diphtheria in 2024, underlining the risks of low vaccination and prompti
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Fidai Rahmati is the editor and content writer for Khaama Press. You may follow him at Twitter @FidelRahmati India donates 131 cartons of Td vaccines to support vaccination services across Afghanistan. Taliban's public health authorities announced receiving 131 cartons of Td vaccine donated by India to support national immunization programs. Each vial contains ten doses protecting against diphtheria and tetanus, while each carton holds 768 doses for preventive vaccination campaigns. Officials said the vaccines will help strengthen preventive healthcare services and expand immunization coverage in vulnerable communities nationwide. India recently also supplied about 9.5 tons of anti-cancer medicines to Afghanistan following efforts to secure additional humanitarian health assistance. Taliba...
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This event envelope contains reports on diphtheria in Australia.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
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View WHO Resources →Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-03
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