Diphtheria outbreak: residents of remote NT community say health clinic has no hand sanitiser
Summary
A diphtheria outbreak is affecting remote Indigenous communities in Australia’s Northern Territory, with over 240 cases since October. Residents in one community, Yuendumu, report a lack of hand sanitiser at the health clinic and limited information on how to prevent or handle the illness.Key Facts
- More than 240 diphtheria cases have been reported in Australia since October, mainly in Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia.
- Yuendumu, a small community of about 700 people, is one of the hardest hit in the Northern Territory.
- Locals say the Yuendumu health clinic often lacks hand sanitiser and is not maintaining sanitary conditions.
- Many residents feel they have not received clear or understandable information about diphtheria and how to avoid spreading it.
- Overcrowded housing in Yuendumu makes it harder to stop the disease from spreading.
- The Royal Flying Doctor service has increased visits to Yuendumu from once a week to daily due to the outbreak.
- NT Health says the clinic is open and no one has been refused care. They also report efforts to increase vaccinations and share information.
- Some community members face long waits, up to three weeks, to get diphtheria test results, making isolation and treatment plans difficult.
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