Victorian disease rips through major country as travel warning issued – ‘worst in decades’ | World | News
Australia is struggling with its worst diphtheria epidemic in years; More than 230 cases and one death have been confirmed this year, prompting urgent travel warnings for unvaccinated Britons. Health authorities declared the highly contagious bacterial infection an “Infectious Disease Event of National Concern” on May 22, 2026.
Australia’s chief medical officer Professor Michael Kidd AO said: “This is the largest outbreak since national records began in 1991.” Cases began to rise steadily in late 2025 before rising sharply from February. The majority have been recorded in the Northern Territory and Western Australia; Additional infections were also seen in South Australia and Queensland.
The pandemic has hit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities particularly hard.
A man died at the Royal Darwin Hospital in April and laboratory tests this week confirmed the cause was diphtheria; It was the first such death in a decade.
While most recent cases have been mild, officials emphasize that if not treated promptly, the disease can be serious or fatal, especially in children.
Diphtheria was widespread in the 19th century, when it was one of the most feared and devastating global killers, earning terrifying nicknames such as the Drowning Angel and the Infant Plague.
It is spread through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, or through direct contact with infected skin sores.
Symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen glands in the neck (giving the characteristic “bull neck” appearance), and a thick gray-white coating on the throat. Skin infections can cause ulcers and blisters.
Passengers traveling from the UK are urged to ensure their vaccinations are up to date before visiting Australia.
The government’s TravelHealthPro service website states: “Diphtheria remains a risk for unvaccinated travelers to countries where uptake of diphtheria-containing vaccines is low.”
Diphtheria is rare in Britain, thanks to routine childhood vaccination with a 6-in-1 vaccine and boosters for teenagers since the 1940s.
However, uptake of the Td/IPV youth booster (which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and polio) has fallen by 15% since 2018, leaving more than a quarter of young people aged 14 to 16 unprotected.
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has warned that falling vaccination rates could lead to more outbreaks of preventable diseases.
Pharmacies are calling for greater involvement in the administration of childhood vaccines to increase coverage.
Australian authorities have launched a coordinated response that includes a $7.2 million funding package for vaccination campaigns, antibiotics and community outreach. Officials said the number of new cases is now falling.
The NHS advice is clear: have your vaccination status checked by a GP before travelling. Supplements may be needed if it has been more than 10 years since the last dose. Diphtheria remains a risk in parts of Africa, South America, India, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.
