A resurgence of a once-thought eradicated disease has struck a child in Australia, sparking concerns as the rare illness reemerges after a century-long absence in New South Wales (NSW). The afflicted two-year-old from northern NSW now fights for their life in an intensive care unit due to diphtheria of the throat, a condition not seen in the region for over a hundred years.
The child, who had not received vaccination against diphtheria, is currently under critical care in a Queensland hospital, as confirmed by the Northern NSW Health District. Dr. Paul Douglas, Director of North Coast Public Health, underscored the severity of diphtheria’s potential outcomes, emphasizing its rarity in Australia due to the nation’s robust childhood immunization program.
Diphtheria, caused by highly contagious bacteria, spreads through airborne particles from coughing and sneezing, as well as surface contact. Efforts to save the child’s life in NSW involve administering antitoxin, medication, and respiratory support, with close contacts receiving antibiotics and immunization to curb further transmission.
While Dr. Douglas urged the community not to panic, he stressed the importance of checking children’s immunization status and ensuring they receive diphtheria vaccination, available for free from general practitioners for infants as young as six weeks old.
Historically, diphtheria claimed many young lives until the advent of vaccination in the 1940s, significantly reducing its prevalence. Australia’s high vaccination rates typically shield against such cases, contrasting with countries with low immunization coverage and weak herd immunity, where diphtheria remains a concern.
Symptoms of diphtheria vary but can include sore throat, diminished appetite, and mild fever, progressing to the formation of a white-gray membrane in the throat within days, impeding swallowing, particularly in severe cases involving the throat and tonsils.
For adults, diphtheria vaccination is typically administered alongside tetanus and pertussis vaccinations, serving as a crucial preventive measure against this potentially fatal disease.