Diphtheria
Fact sheet2 - Health conditions directory
Diphtheria is an infection of the throat and nose caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria. Diphtheria can cause a membrane to grow around the inside of the throat which can lead to difficulty in swallowing and breathing. Occasionally these bacteria can also cause skin infections. Diphtheria has been rare in Australia since the introduction of an effective vaccine, but a century ago diphtheria was the common infectious cause of death. Outbreaks still occur in countries with low vaccination rates.
Public health management guidelines
- Read Queensland Health guidelines for public health units3
- Read the process for obtaining diphtheria antitoxin in Queensland4 (PDF, 217kB)
Notification
Pathology laboratories
Attending medical practitioners/medical superintendents (or delegates)
Notification resources
- List of all Pathological, clinical and provisional diagnosis notifiable conditions8
- List of Public Health Unit9 contacts
- Notifiable conditions report form for Queensland doctors/clinicians (PHA S70) or person in charge of a Hospital (PHA S71)10 (PDF, 77kB) (if faxing notification, follow-up by phone).
- Case report form11 (PDF, 504kB) - used by public health units to collect and manage more detailed information for enhanced case surveillance.
Enhanced surveillance for public health units
- Case report form11 (PDF, 504kB) - used by public health units to collect and manage more detailed information for enhanced case surveillance.
Resources for health professionals
Immunisation12 – Queensland Health website for health professionals.
- Australian immunisation handbook13 - clinical guidelines for health professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their practice.