The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Diphtheria is back in Australia, here's why – and how vaccines can prevent its spread

  • Written by Frank Beard, Associate professor, University of Sydney
Diphtheria is back in Australia, here's why – and how vaccines can prevent its spread

An unvaccinated toddler from the far north coast of New South Wales is in intensive care[1] after catching respiratory diphtheria (diphtheria of the throat). A six-year-old close family contact is also infected.

These are the first cases of respiratory diphtheria in children seen in Australia since 1992[2].

What is diphtheria and how is it spread?

Diphtheria is a potentially deadly infection caused by toxins produced by certain strains of Corynebacterium bacteria.

Respiratory diphtheria causes severe swelling[3] of the throat and neck, which can block the airway and cause breathing problems.

The bacterial toxin can also damage the heart, kidneys, brain and nerves. The bacteria can also cause skin sores[4], which are not as serious as respiratory diphtheria.

The diphtheria bacteria spread through respiratory droplets, for example, from coughing or sneezing. They can also spread through touching skin sores.

How is it prevented?

In Australia, vaccines containing diphtheria toxoid (an inactivated form of the toxin) are provided free on the National Immunisation Program[5] (NIP), with three doses initially at two, four and six months of age.

These are six-in-one combination vaccines which also provide protection against pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b[6] (Hib) infection, which causes meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

Read more: Have you had your diphtheria vaccines? Here's why it matters[7]

Booster doses for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis are provided under the National Immunisation Program at 18 months, four years and at around 12 years of age (through school-based immunisation programs). It’s important to get all these booster doses as immunity tends to decrease over time.

Adult boosters are also recommended but not funded by the National Immunisation Program.

How is it treated?

Antibiotics are given to people with diphtheria but may not have much impact on the disease once established.

Specialised treatment with diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) is often required to counteract the effects of the toxin. DAT needs to be given early in the illness (within 48 hours).

However there are global shortages[8] of DAT due to decreased production over recent decades.

It was once a big killer

Diphtheria was once among the top-ten causes of child death[9]. There were more than 4,000 deaths[10] from diphtheria in Australia between 1926 and 1935.

Diphtheria cases fell dramatically following the introduction of vaccines in the 1940s.

Child touches their sore neck
Diphtheria respiratory infection causes swelling of the throat and neck. Shutterstock[11]

Diphtheria is now rare. Prior to the two recent cases in NSW, there had been no cases of respiratory diphtheria in children in Australia since 1992. There were 38 cases of skin diphtheria reported between 2011 and 2019, affecting both children and adults. Over the same period, there were seven cases of respiratory diphtheria, all of which were in adults. Two unvaccinated adults died from respiratory diphtheria in 2011[12] and 2018[13].

Why are we seeing diphtheria now? What role does travel play?

Anyone unvaccinated against diphtheria is at risk of disease. Diphtheria vaccination rates in Australian children have been high at over 90% since 2000 and are currently around 95%[14].

People born before 2000 are more likely to be under-vaccinated, as vaccination rates were lower when they were growing up.

Read more: Health Check: which vaccinations should I get as an adult?[15]

There is also a particular risk from travel to countries where diphtheria remains more common, including Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, states of the former Soviet Union and eastern European countries.

Diphtheria vaccination prevents disease but doesn’t fully prevent people carrying the bacteria in the back of their throat without symptoms. It is possible for fully vaccinated people to spread the bacteria to unvaccinated contacts, including when they return from overseas travel.

Increases in diphtheria are a now a real risk as vaccination rates have declined globally[16].

We are also at increased risk of other diseases, such as measles, now international travel has restarted. Measles cases have surged globally in part due to COVID pandemic-related disruption[17] to routine immunisation programs in many parts of the world. UNICEF and the World Health Organization have warned[18] of a perfect storm of conditions for measles outbreaks.

A recent measles case[19] in a traveller was the first in Australia since March 2020.

What can you do?

Ensuring people of all ages are up-to-date with their vaccines is key.

Parents should ensure children get all their routine vaccinations on time – this will provide strong protection against serious diseases like diphtheria and measles.

Nurse vaccinates toddler
Vaccines provide strong protection against diphtheria. Shutterstock[20]

People of all ages should also be up-to-date for vaccines, particularly if travelling overseas. Beyond childhood, the Australian Immunisation Handbook[21] recommends a diphtheria vaccine booster dose for:

  • adults at 50 and 65 years of age

  • people of any age who are more than ten years since their last dose and travelling to a country where health services are difficult to access.

  • people travelling to high-risk countries if it has been more than five years since the last dose.

Ensuring support to low- and middle-income countries, particularly those in our region, to strengthen their immunisation programs, including via catch-up campaigns for measles and other vaccines, is also key to protecting us all.

Read more: Diphtheria could become a problem again thanks to new variants and antimicrobial resistance[22]

References

  1. ^ intensive care (www.abc.net.au)
  2. ^ since 1992 (www1.health.gov.au)
  3. ^ severe swelling (www.cdc.gov)
  4. ^ skin sores (www.nejm.org)
  5. ^ National Immunisation Program (www.health.gov.au)
  6. ^ Haemophilus influenzae type b (www.health.gov.au)
  7. ^ Have you had your diphtheria vaccines? Here's why it matters (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ global shortages (www.ijidonline.com)
  9. ^ child death (historyofvaccines.org)
  10. ^ more than 4,000 deaths (www1.health.gov.au)
  11. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  12. ^ 2011 (www.smh.com.au)
  13. ^ 2018 (www.sbs.com.au)
  14. ^ currently around 95% (ncirs.org.au)
  15. ^ Health Check: which vaccinations should I get as an adult? (theconversation.com)
  16. ^ declined globally (www.thelancet.com)
  17. ^ COVID pandemic-related disruption (theconversation.com)
  18. ^ have warned (www.who.int)
  19. ^ recent measles case (www.health.vic.gov.au)
  20. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  21. ^ Australian Immunisation Handbook (immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au)
  22. ^ Diphtheria could become a problem again thanks to new variants and antimicrobial resistance (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/diphtheria-is-back-in-australia-heres-why-and-how-vaccines-can-prevent-its-spread-186348

The Times Features

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure

Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the ...

The Role of a Family Dentist: Why Every Household Needs One

source A family dentist isn’t like your regular dentist who may specialise in a particular age group and whom you visit only when something goes wrong. A family dentist takes proa...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping