NT diphtheria outbreak hits Aboriginal communities hardest as AMSANT urges vaccination

DARWIN – The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) is urging Territorians to seek early medical care and check their vaccinations are up to date, as a diphtheria outbreak continues to disproportionately affect Aboriginal communities.

Data from the Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control shows 84 cases of diphtheria have been reported in the Territory between 1 January 2025 and 24 April 2026. Of those, 18 are respiratory diphtheria and 66 are cutaneous cases involving skin sores. More than 90 per cent of cases have affected Aboriginal people, and around one-third have required hospitalisation.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans that can be life-threatening for people who are not adequately vaccinated. Once common in Australia, the disease is now rare thanks to widespread immunisation, but outbreaks continue to emerge in under-vaccinated populations.

Unvaccinated children under five face the highest risk of poor outcomes from respiratory diphtheria, which can cause severe airway obstruction. Cutaneous diphtheria, while typically less severe, can still spread the bacteria to others.

Vaccination ‘the best way to reduce risk’

AMSANT chief executive Donna Ah Chee said vaccination remained the most effective protection.

“Diphtheria can spread quickly, but we know that vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of serious disease” she said.

“This is about making sure the response reaches communities quickly and that services have the support they need to manage the outbreak and keep our communities safe and well.”

AMSANT has been working closely with the Northern Territory Government to expand workforce capacity and coordinate the public health response. The peak body, which represents 25 Aboriginal community-controlled health services across the Territory, is encouraging community members to attend their local clinic if they have symptoms such as sore throats or skin sores, and to check that their childhood and adult vaccinations are up to date.

Diphtheria immunisation is delivered through the National Immunisation Program as part of the routine combination vaccines given in childhood, with booster doses recommended in adolescence and adulthood. Adults who have not received a tetanus and diphtheria booster in the past 10 years can request one through their primary health care service.

Long-standing coverage gaps in remote communities

The current outbreak follows long-standing concerns from the Aboriginal community-controlled health sector about lower vaccination coverage in some remote communities, where access to primary health care, supply chain pressures and workforce shortages can affect uptake.

Cutaneous diphtheria has been linked in past outbreaks to skin conditions such as scabies and impetigo, which remain common in some remote Aboriginal communities and can act as entry points for the bacteria.

The AMSANT advisory follows guidance issued by the NT Centre for Disease Control (22 April 2026) and forms part of a coordinated public health response involving NT Health, primary health networks and Aboriginal community-controlled health services across the Territory.