Diphtheria Appears for First Time in New South Wales in 100 Years

A child watches as a nurse takes a measurement of the mark left on her arm after receiving a vaccination. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Australia has confirmed two cases of diphtheria, a contagious and potentially fatal throat infection, in two children from northern New South Wales.

It is the first time the disease has been detected in the state in a century.

A two-year-old child contracted the disease and was admitted to intensive care in a Queensland hospital on July 2.

A six-year-old boy who is a close family contact of the toddler was also admitted to the hospital with a case of the illness the next day.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that is spread mainly through respiratory droplets during close contact with an infected person and can be potentially life-threatening.

Symptoms of the disease include a sore throat, mild fever and loss of appetite, followed by a greyish-white membrane forming over the throat and tonsils that make it challenging to breathe and swallow.

It can also cause swelling in the neck and inflammation of the heart and nerves which can be fatal in five to ten percent of people who become infected.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus took to social media to remind parents of vaccination as both of the children who contracted it on the weekend were unvaccinated against it.

“Very sad to see a child suffering from a preventable disease, such as #diptheria, when a safe, effective vaccine is available. The news from #Australia is a wake-up call to get back on track with routine vaccinations everywhere. #VaccinesWork & save lives,” Ghebreyesus wrote in a post on Twitter.

Very Rare in Australia Due to Childhood Immunisations

NSW records its first cases of a potentially fatal respiratory disease in 100 years. (Africa Studio/Shutterstock)

It was a common cause of death in children until the 1940s prior to what has been called the vaccination era but still is prevalent mainly in countries with poor levels of immunisation, according to NSW health authorities.

“Diphtheria is very rare in Australia due to our longstanding childhood immunisation program,” North Coast Public Health director Paul Douglas said.

“However, the disease has very serious outcomes and can be fatal. The diphtheria vaccination is free and readily available from your GP for everyone.”

In Australia, children are vaccinated against serious childhood infections at birth, six weeks, four months, six months, one year, 18 months, four years, and in the 7th, 8th, and 10th grade of high school.

In adulthood, the diphtheria vaccine is recommended along with tetanus and pertussis vaccines every 10 years and in pregnancy.

Apart from side effects arising directly after the vaccination, the vaccine has seen some severe reactions reported, including high fever of over 40˚C (105˚F), vomiting, seizures, persistent crying, and swelling of the face and limbs.