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Diphtheria re-emergence and ED impact

The Return of Diphtheria: Reflections From the Emergency Department
Emergency Medicine Australasia · Added 27 July 2026

ABSTRACT Diphtheria has re‐emerged in Australia in 2026, prompting significant public health concern and placing additional demands on healthcare services.

Study type

Other

Design

Descriptive review of diphtheria outbreak impact on EDs

Participants

Not reported

Main finding

Diphtheria disproportionately affected Indigenous communities; ED challenges included case identification, rapid guideline development, broader cutaneous presentations and workforce strain from contact tracing and staff isolation

Caveat

Descriptive commentary without quantitative outcome data

Bottom line

Context only

Learning goal

Recognise cutaneous presentations of diphtheria and the system pressures outbreaks place on emergency care.

More

• Topic: Sepsis & infection
• Daily scan: 27 July 2026

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