WA is at the centre of Australia’s worst diphtheria outbreak on record, with the State recording more than 80 cases of the potentially deadly bacterial infection so far this year.

Western Australia accounts for almost 40 per cent — or 82 — of the 221 cases recorded nationwide, prompting an urgent warning from the country’s peak medical body to get vaccinated.

Most of the local infections are in the Kimberley with 73 people in the region diagnosed since January, followed by smaller outbreaks recorded in the Goldfields and Pilbara.

The respiratory form of the infection has not been seen in WA for more than 50 years and a diphtheria-related death in the Northern Territory was the first in Australia in almost a decade.

Low vaccination rates have been blamed for the outbreak and the Australian Medical Association is now urging people to get vaccinated.

AMA president Danielle McMullen said the rise in diphtheria was a serious reminder of the importance of vaccines.

“Immunisation is one of the greatest achievements in modern medicine, but when vaccination rates fall, serious diseases, which we had largely eliminated, can make a comeback,” she said.

“We are seeing that risk play out with diphtheria, and it is a timely reminder for Australians to check they are up to date with their vaccines and to talk to their usual GP if they have questions.”

The outbreak, which began in December, 2025, has mostly occurred in Aboriginal children and young adults.

There was only 18 cases of the infection last year, which can present as a sore throat that can become severe and life-threatening when it develops into difficulty breathing.

It can also lead to heart and nerve damage.

The second type of diphtheria causes poorly healing skin infections.

It can spread through close contact with respiratory droplets, infected skin sores or contaminated items such as bandages and shared towels.

The Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care has been working alongside state and territory governments and the Aboriginal-controlled sector in a bid to control the outbreak.

State-funded vaccinations are available for free through GPs, community pharmacies, community health clinics and Aboriginal Medical Services in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields regions. An administrative fee may apply.

A routine vaccination is recommended for infants and boosters for adolescents and adults in certain circumstances.

For those at a higher risk of infection, the recommended interval between booster shots has been revised from 10 to five years.

For more information about diphtheria, visit HealthyWA.