Australia faces largest diphtheria outbreak in decades

Australia is experiencing its largest diphtheria outbreak since national reporting began, with at least 226 confirmed cases in 2026. The outbreak has spread from the Northern Territory to Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, coinciding with childhood immunisation rates falling to their lowest level in five years. Diphtheria is a severe bacterial infection that can cause skin ulcers or respiratory symptoms, with toxins that can affect the heart and nervous system, and has already claimed at least one life in this outbreak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.