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• Australia’s Chief Medical Officer has declared diphtheria a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance due to a sharp rise in cases. Over 230 cases have been reported in 2026, a ~30-fold increase compared with 2022-2025. Most cases are in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in remote and outer regional areas of the NT and WA. 

• The declaration enables coordinated national response efforts, including vaccination scale-up, workforce support, enhanced surveillance, and culturally appropriate public health communication. Clinicians are advised to remain alert for suspected cases and ensure vaccination status is up to date. 

Public health advice 

• Health care professionals should consider diphtheria in patients with compatible respiratory or cutaneous illness, particularly those with recent travel to, or contact with people known to have diphtheria.  

• Suspected or confirmed cases must be notified immediately by phone to Local Public Health Units by calling 1300 651 160. 

• Check if Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and other groups at risk are up‑to‑date with diphtheria vaccination and offer vaccination in line with the Australian Immunisation Handbook. Diphtheria | Australian Centre for Disease Control 

• Travellers to an outbreak setting, including within Australia, may consider a booster dose if more than 5 years have passed since their last diphtheria-containing vaccine. 

Read more- https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/clinician-alert-diphtheria