Australia Prepares Emergency Support As Diphtheria Outbreak Worsens

CANBERRA, May 20 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Australia is preparing an emergency health support package after more than 220 diphtheria cases were recorded nationwide this year, marking the country's largest outbreak in decades, health officials said on Wednesday, reported Xinhua.

Australian Health Minister Mark Butler described the surge as "very concerning" at a press conference, noting case numbers are "about 30 times the average number of diphtheria cases" in recent years.

The federal government is working with state authorities to boost vaccination coverage and deploy additional workforce, particularly in remote indigenous communities where the outbreak has been concentrated.

Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection, can be fatal in severe cases.

Once a major cause of childhood mortality, it is preventable through vaccination but can resurge when immunity wanes.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged Australians to ensure their vaccinations are up to date, calling it "the most important thing that people can do," the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA