Outbreak of disease in Northern Territory leads to first Australian diphtheria death in almost a decade

An ongoing outbreak of a deadly disease has led to the death of an Australian for the first time since 2018.

More than 140 people have been infected with the respiratory illness, diphtheria, across the Northern Territory since the start of last year.

Central Australian Aboriginal Congress chief medical officer, John Boffa, told the ABC that one person had died from the disease in a remote region a number of weeks ago.

It is the first time an Australian has died from diphtheria since 2018, which according to the Australian Centre for Disease Control was an unvaccinated adult who had contracted a respiratory strain.

NT Health is yet to confirm cause of death and are “awaiting results from an autopsy report about a possible diphtheria-related death”.

The disease effects either the skin or lungs and causes skin sores or a sore throat which, if left untreated, can cause suffocation.

It spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s sores, or their coughing and sneezing.

NT Health said 145 people have been infected with the disease since January 1, 2025, of which 42 have contracted respiratory diphtheria.

It can be treated with antibiotics, but the health department says the “most important measure for preventing, protecting and reducing transmission” is vaccination.

“NT Health is working with community organisations to undertake a Territory-wide vaccination program to address the outbreak starting with a staged approach focussing on vulnerable people and at-risk areas,” NT Health said.

A diphtheria vaccination is free for people under the age of 20 and women who are more than 20-weeks pregnant.

Children are routinely vaccinated against diphtheria at six weeks, four months, six months, 18 months, four years and 12 years, while adults are advised to get a booster dose every 10 years.

The disease has rarely been seen since the adoption of vaccination in the 1930s, but has spread across Australia this year.

Sixty cases have been reported in WA, while Queensland and SA have recorded two and one, respectively.