Two children have been diagnosed with diphtheria of the throat in NSW, the first cases to be detected in the state this century.

An unvaccinated two-year-old and a six-year-old from northern NSW have been diagnosed with the potentially deadly bacterial infection. The toddler is in intensive care, while the second child, who authorities say is a close family contact of the toddler, has been hospitalised.

It’s prompted a warning for parents to ensure their children’s immunisations are up-to-date.

“…This is a very serious disease and can be fatal, so 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,” North Coast Public Health director Dr Paul Douglas said.

The diphtheria vaccination is free and available from GPs for everyone from six weeks old. Australian children are vaccinated at six weeks, four months, six month, 18 months, four years and at the beginning of high school.

What is diphtheria?

Diphtheria a contagious bacterial infection that’s caused by the spread of a bacterium.

According to the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, when someone catches diphtheria, that bacteria releases a toxin into their body. It infects their upper airways, and sometimes their skin, and a membrane grows across their windpipe. It makes breathing difficult and if the airways become completely blocked it can lead to suffocation or death.

What are diphtheria symptoms?

The symptoms of diphtheria, which usually start between two and five days after catching the infection, include:

• sore throat
• swallowing problems
• mild fever
• breathing problems, which may be severe
• a grey or green membrane at the back of the throat

How is diphtheria spread?

Diphtheria is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and it’s breathed in by someone else, or when someone touches things an infected person has coughed or sneezed on.

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