The Commonwealth government's funding package in response to the country's largest diphtheria outbreak on record has been welcomed by Indigenous health bodies, who have encouraged everyone to make sure they are fully vaccinated.
More than 230 diphtheria cases have been recorded across Australia this year — about 30 times the usual annual average and the largest outbreak since national records began.
On Thursday, the government announced a $7.2 million funding package, including $5.2 million for the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre to deploy additional doctors and nurses into hard-hit communities, deliver booster vaccinations and treatment, and purchase more vaccines and antibiotics.
Another $2 million will go to national Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations to work with the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT (AMSANT), local services and other groups in the NT and affected states.
AMSANT chief executive, Donna Ah Chee, said the package would "help services continue vaccination, contact tracing and community outreach efforts at a time when many clinics, particularly those in remote areas, are already under significant pressure".
"Many remote clinics are already working incredibly hard to deliver routine primary healthcare in challenging conditions," she said.
"During outbreaks like this, health services are often forced to redirect staff and resources into emergency vaccination, contact tracing and outbreak management. It is critical that essential primary healthcare isn't disrupted because clinics are stretched beyond capacity."
AMSANT said early treatment was effective against diphtheria, despite the seriousness of the disease, while vaccination remained the best protection against severe illness.
"If you or your child have a sore throat, cough, fever or skin sores that are not healing, it's important to visit your local clinic early," Ms Ah Chee said. "Vaccination works. We are seeing that people who are vaccinated are much less likely to become seriously unwell."
About 60 per cent of cases have been recorded in the Northern Territory, with additional infections reported in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. Almost all cases have involved Indigenous Australians.
In a statement, the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association (AIDA) called for an urgent, coordinated and culturally safe response to the outbreak.
AIDA said delays in diagnosis, treatment, vaccination access or follow-up care increased the severity of illness, with chief executive Dr Peter Malouf arguing the outbreak must be treated as both a clinical and equity issue.
"Diphtheria is not simply a disease-control issue. This outbreak is occurring in the context of known gaps in access to primary care, immunisation follow-up, housing, wound care, health infrastructure and culturally safe services in remote and regional communities," Dr Malouf said.
"Public messaging must avoid blame. The correct response is to strengthen access, trust and continuity of care. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities must be partners in the response, not merely recipients of centrally designed interventions."
Diphtheria often begins like a severe cold but can quickly become deadly. The bacteria produce toxins that can form a thick grey layer in the throat, block the airway and cause suffocation.
About a quarter of patients in the current outbreak have required hospital care.
Speaking to ABC Breakfast, Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy urged people to ensure their vaccinations are up to date.
"Our call is really to adults to not think that you are immune, make sure you're getting checked," she said. "It's really important that adults also know that this isn't just about children. This is actually all people of all ages."
With AAP
