Residents urged to check vaccinations following diphtheria outbreak in regional WA

The following media release has been issued by the Department of Health

Western Australians are being urged to ensure they are up to date with their diphtheria vaccination in response to an outbreak of cases in regional WA.

There have been 60 confirmed cases of diphtheria reported in regional WA since late December 2025, with the majority occurring in Aboriginal people.

This includes 55 cases in the Kimberley, three in the Pilbara, and two cases in the Goldfields.

Cases have primarily occurred in children and young adults, with a smaller number spread across older age groups.

These figures reinforce the importance of maintaining strong vaccination coverage across all age groups, particularly in regional communities.

Diphtheria is a serious disease, and vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe illness and reduce transmission.

It can present as either a sore throat that can become severe and life-threatening, or poorly healing skin infections, and spreads through close contact with respiratory droplets, infected skin sores or contaminated items such as bandages and shared towels.

Western Australia's Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Huppatz said diphtheria has previously been very rare in Australia due to high vaccination rates and improved living conditions.

“Respiratory diphtheria has not been seen in WA for more than 50 years, and diphtheria skin infections have become rare,” she said.

“However, cases have re-emerged in the last few years in parts of northern Australia, including the Northern Territory which has also recently declared a diphtheria outbreak.”

Dr Huppatz said the current outbreak in WA was a reminder that booster doses of diphtheria vaccine, usually given in combination with tetanus and pertussis vaccines, are very important to maintain immunity in teenagers and adults.

“We are seeing cases concentrated in some regional areas, which is why it is especially important that people of all ages living, working in or travelling to these communities are up to date with their vaccinations,” she said.

“People who have previously been vaccinated and live in the affected regions can receive a diphtheria booster dose if it has been more than five years since their last vaccination - this is especially important for Aboriginal people and healthcare workers in these regions, who are at higher risk of exposure.

“Anyone who is unvaccinated or unsure of their status should speak with their GP or health provider about starting a vaccination course.

“Parents and carers should ensure children receive their routine vaccinations on time, including all recommended booster doses.”

Diphtheria vaccine is routinely provided to children as part of combination vaccines that are given at two months, four months, six months and 18 months of age, followed by a dose at four years of age and a booster during year seven of school (typically between 12 and 13 years of age).

Public health teams are closely monitoring the situation and responding with appropriate health measures including vaccination, case management and contact tracing.

State-funded vaccinations are available for free through GPs, community pharmacies, community health clinics and Aboriginal Medical Services in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields regions. An administrative fee may apply.

National Immunisation Program vaccines remain available free of charge across Western Australia.

For more information about diphtheria, visit HealthyWA.

Additional information

• Respiratory diphtheria typically begins with fever or chills and a sore throat and can progress to cause a thick coating in the throat that may make breathing or swallowing difficult and is life-threatening.
• Cutaneous diphtheria usually causes infected sores or ulcers on exposed parts of the body that are slow to heal. It rarely leads to severe illness but contributes to spread of diphtheria bacteria in the community.