Post · bonfire.cafe

RE: https://aus.social/@DenisCOVIDinfoguy/116502132608411797

I found this report pretty underwhelming tbh - a multi-state outbreak at all-time unprecedented levels, interstate connections; you might imagine the ACDC would be all over it.

But it's mostly just a dry list of stats, with an observation that it could be due to increased testing(?)
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Denis - The COVID info guy -

@DenisCOVIDinfoguy@aus.social · 4 days ago

Diphtheria in Australia – Epidemiological update - 27 April 2026

🔹A total of 117 confirmed cases of diphtheria have been notified in Australia in 2026.

🔹In the past fortnight, 37 cases have been notified, with diagnosis dates ranging from 11 March to 21 April 2026.

🔹74 cases in the Northern Territory

🔹39 cases in Western Australia

🔹2 cases in Queensland

🔹2 cases in South Australia

Source: https://www.cdc.gov.au/resources/publications/diphtheria-australia-epidemiological-update-27-april-2026

Mike Honey

@mike_honey_@aus.social · 4 hours ago

Since they reported those figures, diphtheria cases have continued to soar with no peak in sight. An extra 40-odd cases were added in the latest week. The growth slope is still nearly vertical.
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3 media

Mike Honey

@mike_honey_@aus.social · 4 hours ago

Their genomic analysis shows the majority of the current cases are local transmissions, linked to the 2020-23 cases from Queensland.

So like measles, this is another scenario where the narrative about risks from overseas travel seem dangerously misleading.
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Mike Honey

@mike_honey_@aus.social · 4 hours ago

The ACDC report states "a few cases in Queensland (n=2)
and South Australia (n=2)".
But I've been told by the ACDC and others that those numbers can't be revealed, its a breach of privacy if they are <5. They have been suppressed to 0 on their own dashboard, starting from February.
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Mike Honey

@mike_honey_@aus.social · 4 hours ago

This recent piece from The Conversation has some practical info on diphtheria in the Australian context.

Why isn’t info like this coming from the ACDC?
https://theconversation.com/before-vaccines-diphtheria-used-to-kill-hundreds-each-year-now-its-back-in-australia-279856
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The Conversation

Before vaccines, diphtheria used to kill hundreds each year. Now it’s back in Australia

The disease has rarely been seen since the 1950s. Here’s what to look out for, and how it made a comeback.

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