WA Health expands diphtheria outbreak vaccination program to include the Midwest

The Department of Health has expanded its diphtheria outbreak vaccination program to include the Midwest, and extended vaccine eligibility to all Aboriginal people across the State, as part of its ongoing response to the outbreak in regional Western Australia.

The expansion aims to improve protection against severe illness due to diphtheria among Aboriginal people and other eligible groups at increased risk of exposure.

There have now been 170 cases reported across the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields regions, predominantly among Aboriginal people.

Most cases have occurred in the Kimberley (135 cases), with additional cases reported in the Pilbara (31 cases) and the Goldfields (four cases). There is also evidence of diphtheria transmission in the Midwest.

Of the 170 cases reported, 104 have involved cutaneous (skin) infections and 66 have involved respiratory (throat) infections, including two severe respiratory cases.

Director Communicable Disease Control Directorate Dr Paul Armstrong said while most cases involved skin infections, respiratory diphtheria remained the more pressing public health concern.

“Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can affect the skin or throat,” Dr Armstrong said.

“While most recent cases in Western Australia have involved skin infections, severe respiratory diphtheria can be life-threatening and can lead to complications.

“Our priority is to identify cases early, support affected communities, increase vaccination coverage and reduce the risk of further spread of the disease.

“Vaccination remains the best defence against severe illness due to diphtheria, which is why it is so important for people to ensure they are protected.”

Vaccination activities are already underway in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields, and have now begun in the Midwest following the expansion of the vaccination program.

The response focuses on catch-up vaccination for children and adolescents under the National Immunisation Program, alongside vaccination of eligible adults who have not received a diphtheria-containing vaccine in the past five years.

Almost 15,000 doses of diphtheria-containing vaccine, supplementing those funded under the National Immunisation Program, have already been distributed across the outbreak-affected regions, with additional supplies available as required.

A dedicated Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) has been established to coordinate the outbreak response and support public health activities across affected regions.

The response includes case management, contact tracing, testing, treatment, vaccination and community engagement measures.

These initiatives are delivered in partnership with WA Country Health Service, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and other local healthcare providers.

“The Department is grateful for the ongoing collaboration with local healthcare providers, Aboriginal health organisations, community leaders and partner agencies, who continue to play a critical role in the response,” Dr Armstrong said.

“We are also working closely with the Australian Government and other jurisdictions through the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre-led Diphtheria Governance Committee to support a coordinated response to the outbreak.”

People living in or working in outbreak-affected regions should seek medical advice if they develop symptoms consistent with diphtheria.

All individuals are encouraged to ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations, including booster doses.

Diphtheria-containing vaccines are now available for people who have not received a diphtheria-containing vaccine in the past five years and who: 

• are an Aboriginal person living anywhere in Western Australia
• reside in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields or Midwest regions
• have regular face-to-face contact with Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields or Midwest regions, including patient-facing healthcare workers and other frontline workers who work, but do not reside, in these regions.

More information about diphtheria, including signs and symptoms and vaccination clinics in outbreak-affected regions, is available on the Diphtheria alert for regional Western Australia page.