The North Coast Public Health Unit has confirmed a case of diphtheria in a two year old child in Northern NSW – the first case of diphtheria of the throat in NSW in a century.

The child, who was not vaccinated against diphtheria, is currently being cared for in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a Queensland hospital and has received diphtheria antitoxin, antibiotics and respiratory support.

The child’s family and close contacts have received post exposure prophylaxis, which can include antibiotics and immunisation, to reduce the risk of transmission.

Dr Paul Douglas, Director North Coast Public Health, said there is no ongoing risk to the broader community but families should be alert and review the immunisation status of their children on the Australian Immunisation Register or with their medical provider, to ensure they are update with all vaccinations.

“Diphtheria is very rare in Australia due to our longstanding childhood immunisation program. However, the disease has very serious outcomes and can be fatal,” Dr Douglas said.

“The diphtheria vaccination is free and readily available from your GP for everyone from six weeks of age. It is important that everyone keeps up to date with their vaccinations.”

Immunisation prevents against severe diphtheria, and is included in the Australian Childhood Immunisation program. In Australia, children are vaccinated at six weeks, four months, six months, 18 months, four years, and at the beginning of high school. In adulthood, diphtheria vaccine is included with tetanus and pertussis vaccines in the DTPa vaccines, which are recommended for adults every 10 years and in pregnancy.

While no other cases of diphtheria of the throat have been reported in NSW this century, on rare occasions other less serious cases of diphtheria have been reported, mainly involving the skin.

Diphtheria is a contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread through coughing and sneezing and can sometimes spread through contact with surfaces contaminated with the bacteria.

For more information on Diphtheria, visit: Diphtheria fact sheet - Fact sheets (nsw.gov.au)

For more information on Immunisation and Childhood vaccines, visit: Home | Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation | SKAI (talkingaboutimmunisation.org.au)