Health and Me

Astik Ghosh

Diphtheria Outbreak: Australia Reports First Death In A Decade

Australia has reported its first death due to diphtheria in almost a decade as the nation grapples with the worst outbreak since national records began in 1991. 

In March, the Northern Territory declared an outbreak of diphtheria, and some cases were also reported in Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland.

Though the government has already taken steps to prevent further spread of the disease, there is a report of the first death due to the disease. The health minister of the Northern Territory has said that autopsy reports found diphtheria as the cause of a man's death in April at Royal Darwin Hospital, which was the first case since 2018.

<h2><span rel="noindex">What Is Diphtheria</span>?</h2>

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diphtheria is a disease caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium that affects the upper respiratory tract and, less often, the skin. It also produces a toxin that damages the heart and the nerves. While it is a vaccine-preventable disease, multiple doses are needed to produce and sustain immunity.

Diphtheria has remained a leading cause of childhood death globally. But vaccination has long prevented death in children.

Those who are not immunized remain at risk. WHO also mentions that diphtheria can be fatal in 30 per cent of cases, with young children at higher risk of dying if they are unvaccinated and are not receiving proper treatment.

In 2023, an estimated 84 per cent of children worldwide received the recommended 3 doses of diphtheria-containing vaccine during infancy, leaving 16 per cent with no or incomplete coverage.

According to Australia’s Department of Health and Aged Care, between 1926 and 1935, more than 4,000 Australians died from diphtheria.

Vaccination started in Australia in the 1930s, and the disease has rarely been seen since the 1950s. But vaccine coverage has waned since the COVID pandemic, leading to a rising number of cases.

Within 2 to 5 days after exposure to the bacteria. The symptoms include

<ul><li>a sore throat,</li><li>fever,</li><li>swollen neck glands,</li><li>weakness.</li></ul>The dead tissue in the respiratory tracts forms a thick, grey coating that can cover tissues in the nose, tonsils, and throat, which makes it difficult to breathe and swallow. Severe cases happen as a result of the diphtheria toxin and its effects.

<h2>Diphtheria: How the Disease Is Treated</h2>

It is usually treated with diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics. Antitoxin neutralizes the circulating toxin in the blood. Antibiotics stop bacterial replication and thereby toxin production, speed up getting rid of the bacteria, and prevent transmission to others.

Vaccines and routine immunization can prevent diphtheria. It is given with vaccines for diseases such as tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae, hepatitis B, and inactivated polio.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

diphtheria-outbreak-australia-reports-first-death-in-a-decade

diphtheria symptoms

what is diphtheria

diphtheria vaccine

diphtheria vaccine protection

diphtheria spread

contagious bacterial disease

public health emergency

vaccination warning

infectious disease outbreak

who diphtheria alert

ebola-scare-in-bengaluru-after-uganda-returned-woman-develops-symptoms

Ebola Scare In Bengaluru After Uganda-Returned Woman Develops Symptoms

Shingles After COVID-19 Linked To Higher Risk Of Bell's Palsy, Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Study

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

Australia has reported its first death due to diphtheria in almost a decade as the nation grapples with the worst outbreak since national records began in 1991. In March, the Northern Territory declared an outbreak of diphtheria, and some cases were also reported in Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland.Though the government has already taken steps to prevent further spread of the disease, there is a report of the first death due to the disease. The health minister of the Northern Territory has said that autopsy reports found diphtheria as the cause of a man's death in April at Royal Darwin Hospital, which was the first case since 2018.What Is Diphtheria?According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diphtheria is a disease caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium that affects the upper respiratory tract and, less often, the skin. It also produces a toxin that damages the heart and the nerves. While it is a vaccine-preventable disease, multiple doses are needed to produce and sustain immunity.Diphtheria has remained a leading cause of childhood death globally. But vaccination has long prevented death in children.Those who are not immunized remain at risk. WHO also mentions that diphtheria can be fatal in 30 per cent of cases, with young children at higher risk of dying if they are unvaccinated and are not receiving proper treatment.In 2023, an estimated 84 per cent of children worldwide received the recommended 3 doses of diphtheria-containing vaccine during infancy, leaving 16 per cent with no or incomplete coverage.According to Australia’s Department of Health and Aged Care, between 1926 and 1935, more than 4,000 Australians died from diphtheria.Vaccination started in Australia in the 1930s, and the disease has rarely been seen since the 1950s. But vaccine coverage has waned since the COVID pandemic, leading to a rising number of cases.Diphtheria: Signs And SymptomsWithin 2 to 5 days after exposure to the bacteria. The symptoms includea sore throat,fever,swollen neck glands,weakness.The dead tissue in the respiratory tracts forms a thick, grey coating that can cover tissues in the nose, tonsils, and throat, which makes it difficult to breathe and swallow. Severe cases happen as a result of the diphtheria toxin and its effects.Diphtheria: How the Disease Is TreatedIt is usually treated with diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics. Antitoxin neutralizes the circulating toxin in the blood. Antibiotics stop bacterial replication and thereby toxin production, speed up getting rid of the bacteria, and prevent transmission to others.How To Prevent DiphtheriaVaccines and routine immunization can prevent diphtheria. It is given with vaccines for diseases such as tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae, hepatitis B, and inactivated polio.

diphtheria outbreak: australia reports first death in a decade

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

Diphtheria Outbreak: Australia Reports First Death In A Decade

Ebola Scare In Bengaluru After Uganda-Returned Woman Develops Symptoms

Shingles After COVID-19 Linked To Higher Risk Of Bell's Palsy, Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Study

Why Ebola Outbreaks Keep Returning In Africa? | Explained

Health Conditions A-Z

Diphtheria Outbreak: Australia Reports First Death In A Decade

Ebola Scare In Bengaluru After Uganda-Returned Woman Develops Symptoms

Shingles After COVID-19 Linked To Higher Risk Of Bell's Palsy, Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Study