Parents warned as second diphtheria case detected on North Coast

A disease thought all but gone locally on the back of vaccination has reappeared on the North Coast, with two youngsters hospitalised. What local parents need to do:

A second child from the North Coast - both unvaccinated against the disease - has caught diphtheria.

The Lismore-based North Coast Public Health Unit on Saturday confirmed a case of diphtheria in a two-year-old child - the first instance of diphtheria of the throat in NSW this century.

The child is being cared for in an intensive care unit at a Queensland hospital and has received diphtheria antitoxin, antibiotics and respiratory support.

On Sunday, the health unit confirmed a second case, this time a six-year-old who is a “close family contact” of the two-year-old.

The older child is being looked after at an undisclosed Northern NSW district hospital - admitted as a “precaution”.

Paul Douglas: “This is a very serious disease and can be fatal, so families should be alert and review the immunisation status of their children.”

North Coast Public Health director Paul Douglas said there is no ongoing risk to the broader community.

But he warned local families should be alert and review the immunisation status of their children on the Australian Immunisation Register or with their medical provider, to ensure they are update with all vaccinations.

“Diphtheria is very rare in Australia due to our longstanding childhood immunisation program,” Dr Douglas said.

“The diphtheria vaccination is free and readily available from your GP for everyone from six weeks of age. It is important that everyone keeps up to date with their vaccinations.”

Northern NSW has comparatively low rates of vaccination generally, with vocal pockets against the practise.

Diphtheria is a contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread through coughing and sneezing.

It can sometimes spread through contact with contaminated surfaces.

No cases of throat diphtheria have been reported in NSW since the 1990s.

“This is a very serious disease and can be fatal, so families should be alert and review the immunisation status of their children,” Dr Douglas said.

Diphtheria was a common cause of death in children up until the 1940s but occurs mainly in countries with poor levels of immunisation. Cases in Australia are rare now due to high immunisation rates.

Diphtheria bacteria can live in the mouth, nose, throat or skin on infected individuals and is usually spread from respiratory droplets, such as through a cough or sneeze.

The first symptoms are usually a sore throat, loss of appetite and a mild fever. Within a few days, a greyish-white membrane forms over the throat and tonsils that can make it hard to swallow and breathe. The infection can also cause the neck to swell.