A case of throat diphtheria, a contagious and life-threatening disease, has been confirmed in a two-year-old boy in northern NSW.
It is the first time the disease has been detected in NSW this century.
The boy, who was not vaccinated, is currently in an intensive care unit in Queensland, the North NSW health district said in a statement.
“Diphtheria is very rare in Australia because of our long-standing childhood immunization program,” said North Coast Director of Public Health Dr Paul Douglas.
“However, the disease has very serious results and can be fatal.”
The disease is contagious and can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing and occasionally by contact with contaminated surfaces.
Health officials said the infected child’s family and close contacts have been given antibiotics or immunization to reduce the risk of further transmission and that there is no ongoing risk to the community.
Symptoms of the disease include sore throat, loss of appetite, and mild fever, followed by a grayish-white membrane that forms over the throat and tonsils that makes breathing and swallowing difficult. It can also cause swelling in the neck and inflammation of the heart and nerves.
The disease can be fatal in 5 to 10% of people.
Symptoms usually begin up to 10 days after exposure and people who do not receive treatment can remain infectious for up to four weeks after they begin to show symptoms.