NT Health is currently on standby as it awaits the results of an autopsy that may reveal a diphtheria-related death in the Northern Territory. Should this be confirmed, it would mark Australia’s first fatal encounter with the infectious disease since 2018.
The Australian Centre for Disease Control, which is closely monitoring the situation in the Northern Territory, notes that diphtheria cases have been on the rise across the country since October 2025. This increasing trend underscores the potential public health significance of the ongoing investigation.
Dr. John Boffa from the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, a healthcare organization located in Alice Springs, shared insights with NITV news. He indicated that a recent death of an Aboriginal individual is suspected to be linked to diphtheria, further amplifying concerns about the disease’s impact on the community.
In the Northern Territory alone, there have been 145 reported cases of diphtheria this year. Western Australia has similarly been affected, recording an additional 75 cases, primarily in the Kimberley region and among Aboriginal populations. This pattern highlights the disease’s disproportionate effect on certain communities.
Moreover, diphtheria cases have also emerged in South Australia and Queensland, adding to the growing tally of infections across the nation. This geographical spread emphasizes the need for vigilant monitoring and responsive healthcare measures.
There have also been some cases recorded in South Australia and Queensland.
Dr Boffa said about 95-97 per cent of cases in the NT were amongst Aboriginal people.
NT Health issued a public health alert in April reminding health professionals of the importance of vaccinations.
Diphtheria is a vaccine preventable disease, with the vaccine part of the standard childhood vaccination schedule.
The bacterial disease causes severe inflammation of the nose, throat and windpipe.
It is spread by direct skin contact with people who have infected sores or by coughing and sneezing from people with respiratory diphtheria.
Both respiratory and cutaneous diphtheria have been recorded within the current outbreak.
Since vaccination programs began in Australia in the 1940s, the incidence of diphtheria declined.
A spokesperson for NT Health said vaccination remained the most important measure for preventing, protecting and reducing transmission of the disease.
“NT Health is working with community organisations to undertake a Territory-wide vaccination program to address the outbreak starting with a staged approach focusing on vulnerable people and at-risk areas,” they said.
NT Health urged parents to check their child’s vaccination status with their health care provider to make sure they are up to date with their immunisations and for adults to have a booster shot every 10 years.
The Australian Centre for Disease Control has told NITV it was aware of the investigation into the death and would await the outcome of the NT government’s investigation.
