What Is Diphtheria? 2 Children's Illnesses Mark First Cases 'This Century'

What Is Diphtheria? 2 Children's Illnesses Mark First Cases 'This Century'

KEY POINTS

  • One of the kids is in the ICU, while the other is also hospitalized
  • Both of the children are reportedly unvaccinated
  • Their family members and close contacts have received post-exposure prophylaxis

Two children have been diagnosed with diphtheria of the throat in northern New South Wales (NSW). These are reportedly the Australian state's first cases of the disease "this century."

Authorities announced the detection of the first case in a 2-year-old child from northern NSW Saturday, according to Brisbane Times. By Sunday, the second case was reported in a 6-year-old who was a "close family contact" of the first case.

The 2-year-old is reportedly in an intensive care unit in Queensland, while the 6-year-old has also been hospitalized.