Diphtheria case confirmed
Diphtheria case confirmedQueensland Health is alerting general practitioners to the first case of respiratory diphtheria acquired in Australia since 1993.
To view the Queensland Health advice 'Diphtheria' please click here.
A 22 year old woman has died of confirmed diphtheria on 30 April 2011. She was known to be unvaccinated and had no history of overseas travel. Contact with a returned overseas traveller is a potential source of infection.
Although the likelihood of further cases is low, travellers to high risk countries should receive a booster dose of diphtheria containing vaccine if they have not received one in the past 10 years.
Diphtheria is notifiable to Queensland Health on clinical suspicion under the Public Health Act 2005. The local Public Health Unit should be immediately notified of suspected cases.
