Diphtheria Cases Rise Sharply in WA’s Kimberley Region

Diphtheria Cases Rise Sharply in WA’s Kimberley Region

22 Apr 2026

Officials say the increase has raised concerns about falling vaccination rates in some communities.

The WA Department of Health recently issued an alert confirming seven cases of toxigenic diphtheria among Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley since December 2025. However, new reports show the number of cases has now more than tripled.

Data from the WA notifiable disease dashboard shows 34 cases across the state this year. Most of these, 29 cases, are in the Kimberley, with smaller numbers in the Goldfields, Pilbara, and one case in Perth.

The illness has affected people of different ages, ranging from young children aged 0–4 to adults aged up to 70–74. Health officials also reported both skin and respiratory cases, including the first respiratory infections in Western Australia in more than 50 years.

Doctors have been told to stay alert for symptoms such as infected skin sores, wounds, or breathing problems in patients from affected regions, including the Kimberley, Pilbara, and Goldfields.

RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman said the rapid increase is worrying and may be linked to lower vaccination coverage. She said diphtheria is largely preventable through vaccines, and most doctors in Australia have not seen cases for many years.

She also warned that people travelling from northern WA and parts of the Northern Territory should be carefully checked, as the disease can be serious and even life-threatening.

Health authorities have begun contact tracing and are offering booster vaccines to people who may be at risk. One patient with a severe case was flown to Perth for urgent treatment.

https://www1.racgp.org.au/

Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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