At time of publication, 262 diphtheria cases have been notified in the WA outbreak, mostly among Aboriginal people. The third case of severe respiratory diphtheria was recently notified in metropolitan Perth.
GPs are urged to:
- Ensure children, adolescents and adults are up to date with scheduled diphtheria-containing vaccine.
- Promote vaccination to all Aboriginal people in WA, and to all people in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields or Midwest, who have not received a diphtheria-containing vaccine in the last five years.
- Maintain a low threshold to test for diphtheria in patients with suspicious skin lesions/wounds and/or pharyngitis/tonsillitis, particularly if epidemiological risk factors (e.g. contact with a case) or clinical features raise greater suspicion (e.g. pharyngeal/tonsillar exudate).
- Notify suspected or confirmed cases to your Public Health Unit or call 1800 434 122 if after hours.
More information:
- Therapeutic Guidelines for further detailed treatment recommendations.