Diphtheria for health professionals
Health alert
Status: Active
Issue date: 25 March 2026
Issued by: Chief Health Officer
Issued to: Medical practitioners
Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Corynebacerium diphtheria.
It is spread person to person by inhaling respiratory droplets and less commonly by direct skin contact of lesions of infected people.
The most serious infections are caused by a toxin produced by some types of the bacteria.
Current situation
The Centre for Disease Control is responding to an outbreak of diphtheria cases throughout the Northern Territory.
Alert to health professionals
Notifiable disease
Diphtheria is a notifiable disease.
Vaccine
For the current diphtheria outbreak vaccination recommendations, see immunisation program for advice.
Information for health professionals
Information for the public
| Type | Resource | Author |
|---|---|---|
| webpage | Diphtheria | Northern Territory Government |
| webpage | Diphtheria | Health direct |
| Diphtheria PDF (378.6 KB) | NT Health | |
| Diphtheria bifold flyer PDF (699.4 KB) | NT Health | |
| Diphtheria poster PDF (523.5 KB) | NT Health | |
| pptx | Diphtheria poster template PPTX (954.0 KB) | NT Health |
Contact
Contact the Northern Territory’s Centre for Disease Control.
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