Recently, the North Coast Public Health Unit confirmed a second case of diphtheria of the throat in the region.
A 6-year old child has been identified as a close family contact of the first announced case (a 2-year-old, 2 July 2022) and was not vaccinated against diphtheria. The child is being cared for at a Northern NSW Local Health District hospital where they were first admitted as a precaution as a close contact.
Diphtheria is contagious and vaccine-preventable, spread through close contact with respiratory droplets from someone carrying the bacteria. No other cases of throat diphtheria have been reported in the State since the 1990s, however, less serious cases have been reported which are mostly on the skin.
The current risk to community is low, however diphtheria is a serious disease that can be fatal and residents are encouraged to ensure immunisations are kept up to date.
The diphtheria vaccination is free for everyone aged from six weeks of age and is included in the Australian Childhood Immunisation program in the DTPa vaccines which include tetanus and pertussis.
More information available here: Diphtheria fact sheet – Fact sheets (nsw.gov.au) For more information on immunisation and childhood vaccines, visit: Home | Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation | SKAI (talkingaboutimmunisation.org.au)