MEDIA STATEMENT – Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID)Re: Diphtheria - upsurge in potentially fatal respiratory cases
An increase in diphtheria cases in Northern and Central Australia since the end of 2025 has prompted infectious diseases experts to issue a timely warning: dangerous infections once controlled by vaccination can return if immunisation rates fall. ASID members are particularly concerned about the re-emergence of respiratory diphtheria, which can still be fatal in unimmunised children and adults. ASID is urging people across Australia and New Zealand to check their immunisations and stay up to date.
Professor Chris Blyth, paediatric infectious diseases specialist and incoming President of ASID, said the cases are an important reminder that serious infections can return when vaccination rates drop.