Australia confirms first diphtheria death amid worst outbreak in decades

Posted: 27th May 2026

Source: Diphtheria outbreak: Australia records first death amid worst outbreak in decades – BBC News

Australia has recorded its first diphtheria death in almost a decade as the country grapples with the worst outbreak of the vaccine-preventable disease in decades.

In March, the Northern Territory (NT) declared an outbreak of diphtheria with cases also in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. Cases started rising in late-2025 with a sharp increase in February.

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