Australia Reports First Diphtheria Death in Years as Outbreak Worsens

Australia has confirmed its first diphtheria death since 2018, as the country battles its worst outbreak of the vaccine-preventable disease in decades.

The Northern Territory declared an outbreak in March, with cases also reported in Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland. Cases began rising in late 2025 and spiked sharply in February.

This year, 245 cases have been recorded-the largest outbreak since 1991-primarily in remote Indigenous communities.

On Tuesday, Northern Territory Health Minister Steve Edgington confirmed that autopsy results from an overseas lab identified diphtheria as the cause of death for a man at Royal Darwin Hospital in April-the first such death since 2018.

Authorities have ramped up vaccination efforts in the hardest-hit areas and set up pop-up clinics in Darwin, Katherine, and Alice Springs. Health officials report new cases are now declining, with over 10,000 vaccinations administered since March 30.

Last week, Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, declared diphtheria a communicable disease incident of national significance. The government announced a AU$7.2 million package to boost vaccinations and resources.