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Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-...ning/105041454
Townsville Public Health Unit responds to diphtheria case, growing dengue fever cluster
By Chloe Chomicki
ABC North Qld
17h ago
Townsville University Hospital has confirmed a case of respiratory diphtheria in a vaccinated teenage girl.
The bacterial disease can cause severe swelling of the throat, but vaccines are widely available and infection and fatal cases are rare.
Townsville Public Health Unit director Steven Donohue said he was particularly concerned the case had been detected locally.
"This can be very, very serious — if it gets into your respiratory system it can cause the death of the tissue in your throat," he said.
"It is a horrible, very severe throat infection."
Dr Donohue said the teenager remained at Townsville University Hospital and was doing well...
Townsville Public Health Unit responds to diphtheria case, growing dengue fever cluster
By Chloe Chomicki
ABC North Qld
17h ago
Townsville University Hospital has confirmed a case of respiratory diphtheria in a vaccinated teenage girl.
The bacterial disease can cause severe swelling of the throat, but vaccines are widely available and infection and fatal cases are rare.
Townsville Public Health Unit director Steven Donohue said he was particularly concerned the case had been detected locally.
"This can be very, very serious — if it gets into your respiratory system it can cause the death of the tissue in your throat," he said.
"It is a horrible, very severe throat infection."
Dr Donohue said the teenager remained at Townsville University Hospital and was doing well...