Leaked diphtheria data shows cases surged weeks before public health alert went out

Unlike some states that provide public online data on case numbers and locations, NT Health does not make specific details public.

The data showed multiple cases of diphtheria had been recorded in Darwin, the Top End and the Katherine region as of late February.

NT Health only issued a public health warning about the outbreak, which is now Australia’s worst, in late March.

An NT Health spokesperson told nine.com.au the department has “implemented a timely and proportionate public health response” to the ongoing outbreak.

“The response included the identification and treatment of all cases and close contacts, including vaccination where indicated,” they said.

“In addition, NT Health has launched a vaccination campaign aimed at preventing serious illness and reducing community transmission.”

Vaccination clinics have been set up across the NT and more than 10,000 diphtheria-containing vaccines have been administered in the past seven weeks.

The weekly number of cases also decreased in the month of May

“NT Health continues to monitor the situation closely and will adjust its public health response as necessary to protect the health of Territorians,” the spokesperson said.

NT Chief Health Officer Dr. Paul Burgess confirmed earlier this week that the outbreak had spread across all five regions of the NT.

Diphtheria is highly contagious and can cause serious illness and death.

Even with treatment, one in 10 patients die, according to the CDC.

More than 250 cases of diphtheria have already been reported to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), with about 60 per cent of them coming from the NT.

One death has been recorded so far

Earlier this month, federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced the federal government was investing millions in controlling the outbreak.

A spokesperson told nine.com.au the outbreak was of great concern to the government.

“We are working closely with affected jurisdictions to ensure a coordinated and effective national response to the diphtheria outbreak,” they said.

“Within days of receiving a request for assistance from the NT Government, we began sending additional vaccine doses to the area.

“This package aims to increase vaccination rates, strengthen the NT’s health workforce and support community-led responses in affected regions.”