health

Australia's largest recorded diphtheria outbreak is spreading through remote Indigenous communities

By the time a national vaccine blitz was announced this week, unlinked cases had already been reported in four states. Why did it take so long for governments to act?

Australia's largest recorded diphtheria outbreak is spreading through remote Indigenous communities

TL;DR

  • Australia's largest recorded diphtheria outbreak is occurring.
  • The outbreak is spreading through remote Indigenous communities.
  • A national vaccine blitz was announced this week.
  • Unlinked cases had already been reported in four states before the blitz announcement.
  • Questions are being raised about the timeliness of government action.