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.
📊 109 news sources reporting on this story.
First reported: 2026-05-19
Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Health authorities are urging people to get vaccinated, as a potentially deadly infection spreads across four Australian states. Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by the toxin-producing bacteria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It spreads through contact with an infected person's bodily fluids - such as droplets produced from coughing or sneezing - or skin sores. Since January, Australia has recorded more than 220 diphtheria cases, in the worst outbreak the country's seen in decades. As of Thursday, there were 139 cases in the Northern Territory, 82 in Western Australia, seven in South Australia and three in Queensland. The federal government has announced a A$7.2 billion emergency support package, which aims to boos...
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Australian authorities and communities are urgently trying to bring a major diphtheria outbreak across several states under control. The Northern Territory government is investigating at least one death and there are concerted efforts to lift vaccination and booster rates in affected areas, with the federal government committing an extra seven million dollars in funding. Meanwhile there are concerns poor quality housing and over-crowding are also contributing to the spread of diphtheria in remote communities. Guest: Dr Simon Quilty, co-founder of Indigenous led housing initiative Wilya Janta
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Some of the misinformation circulating online about the outbreak has falsely linked it to migration. Once one of Australia's most feared childhood diseases, diphtheria killed thousands of children before vaccination programs introduced in the 1930s all but eliminated the infection for decades. The disease became so rare that many doctors never encountered a case. But Australia is now experiencing its largest outbreak since national records began, with more than 230 cases reported in 2026, with the most cases in the Northern Territory. Cases have also been detected in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, while one death in the Northern Territory is believed to have been caused by the disease. As authorities work to contain the outbreak, health experts say misinformation circul...
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This event envelope contains reports on diphtheria in Czechia.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
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.
On Wednesday afternoon, Shravani Patil had gone to the vaccination center.
A 17-year-old girl has died minutes after receiving a Tetanus and Diphtheria (TD) injection at a vaccination camp organised by the Nashik Municipal Corporation. Probe has been ordered after the family of Shravani Patil has said that she died "because of the vaccine". Maintaining that several others were given a shot from the same vial, the authorities have ordered an inquiry. A postmortem examination has been conducted, a
📰 11 news sources reporting on this story.
Health authorities are urging Australians to stay up to date with their diphtheria vaccinations as the deadly disease spreads across state borders. The Australian Centre for Disease Control is managing the outbreak of the once almost-eradicated disease after cases began increasing in the Northern Territory. There has more than 220 reported cases of the diphtheria virus in Australia since late 2025. The Northern Territory has recorded 133 confirmed cases, Western Australia 82, Queensland five reported cases, and South Australia six confirmed cases. Australian Medical Association President Dr Danielle McMullen said the rise in diphtheria cases was a serious reminder of the importance of vaccines. "Immunisation is one of the greatest achievements in modern medicine, but when vaccination rates...
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Diphtheria cases are on the rise in Australia [FILE] (Image: Getty Images) Australia is battling its worst diphtheria outbreak in decades, with more than 230 cases reported this year and one confirmed death, prompting urgent travel warnings for unvaccinated Britons. Health authorities declared the highly contagious bacterial infection a "Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance" on May 22, 2026. Australia's chief medical officer, Professor Michael Kidd AO, stated: "This is the largest outbreak since national records began in 1991." Cases began rising steadily in late 2025 before surging sharply from February. The majority have been recorded in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, with additional infections in South Australia and Queensland. The outbreak has hit Abori...
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This event envelope contains reports on diphtheria in Haiti.
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: 2026-07-18
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