Health experts provide grim diphtheria warning as cases spread to Mid West
One case of diphtheria was recorded in the Midwest; This means the life-threatening bacterial infection has spread to most of the State’s districts.
The infection, once all but eradicated, has now been detected in the Mid-West, metropolitan Perth, the Kimberley, the Pilbara and the Goldfields, prompting health experts to issue a dire warning about the spread in Western Australia.
The Kimberley region is at the center of the epidemic with 135 cases, followed by the Pilbara with 32 cases.
However, the disease spread further, with three people infected in the Goldfields, two in metropolitan Perth and one case in the Central West.
WA now accounts for almost 44 per cent of the 401 cases recorded across the country.
Kate Gunthorpe, deputy chief pharmacist at TerryWhite Chemmart, said the decline in vaccine levels was the reason the bacterial infection had re-emerged after being almost completely eliminated.
“This is a timely reminder that diphtheria has not gone away, it has just become really well controlled through vaccination in the last few years,” he said.
“Unfortunately, when vaccine coverage drops or people are not up to date on the vaccine, we may start to see outbreaks emerge like we have seen before.
“When people aren’t up to date on their supporters, even cases that previously wouldn’t have bothered someone or gone unnoticed get more attention.”
Western Australians, particularly those traveling to the center of the outbreak, have been urged to check their DTaP vaccinations, which cover diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, are up to date.
The pandemic has already led to many people getting vaccinated across the country; Terry White Chemmart has recorded a 23 per cent increase in vaccinations for the infection in the last four weeks compared to the same period last year.
“Pharmacists across Australia are advising more patients to take whooping cough booster medication, which covers diphtheria,” Ms Gunthorpe said.
“If you are traveling, the most important thing is to check your vaccination status before going to one of these epidemic areas.
“Supplements are needed approximately every 10 years. Your pharmacist or local doctor can advise you if you need another supplement to protect yourself.”
Respiratory diphtheria can present as a sore throat that can become serious and life-threatening when it develops into breathing difficulty. It can also cause heart and nerve damage.
The second type of diphtheria causes skin infections that heal poorly.
It can be spread through respiratory droplets, infected skin wounds, or close contact with contaminated items such as bandages and shared towels.
Most recorded cases have occurred through skin contact and have disproportionately affected the Aboriginal community.
Ms. Gunthorpe also encouraged other hygiene protocols, such as staying home when sick, washing hands and covering your mouth when sneezing.
Before vaccination, diphtheria was the leading cause of childhood death, with more than 4000 Australians dying from the disease between 1926 and 1935.
One diphtheria death was recorded in Australia this year; This was the first death from the infection in the country since 2018.
