164 confirmed cases of diphtheria across Australia
From Radio National Breakfast by ABC Australia
May 4, 2026 · 5 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the recent rise in diphtheria cases in Australia, particularly in the Northern Territory and regional Western Australia, featuring insights from Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd.
Diphtheria cases are extremely rare in Australia. But over the past month, cases of diphtheria have been rising in the Northern Territory and in regional Western Australia. Prior to the current outbreak, diphtheria had not been detected in the Kimberley for about half a century. GUEST: Professor Michael Kidd, Chief Medical Officer PRODUCER: Katie McAllister
People in this episode
Host: Katie McAllister
Guest: Professor Michael Kidd
Topics covered
- diphtheria
- health outbreak
- public health
- Northern Territory
- Western Australia
- medical advice
Keywords
- diphtheria
- Australia
- health
- outbreak
- Professor Michael Kidd
- Northern Territory
- Western Australia
- public health
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: ABC Australia
Places: Australia, Northern Territory, Western Australia, Kimberley
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