DIPHTHERIA WARNING FOR ROEBOURNE COMMUNITY

BY TANGIORA HINAKI

Mawarnkarra Health Service is urging people in Roebourne to check their vaccination status and seek medical advice early if they develop symptoms of diphtheria.

Dr Seema Basil, Senior Medical Officer at Mawarnkarra Health Service in Roebourne, said diphtheria can be a serious bacterial infection, but it is preventable.

“Diphtheria can become a very serious infection caused by bacteria,” Dr Basil said.

“It usually affects the throat and can make it hard to swallow and can also affect breathing.

“In some severe cases, it can even damage the heart and the nerves and can also be life-threatening.”

Dr Basil said vaccination remains the best protection.

“The good news is that diphtheria is preventable through vaccination, which is why we take any cases very seriously,” she said.

Mawarnkarra Health Service has been encouraging community members to attend the clinic if they are not sure their vaccinations are up to date.

“We’ve got vaccinations available in stock, and we are encouraging anyone who’s not sure if they are up to date to attend the AMS, so that we can give them a booster,” Dr Basil said.

She said people of all ages should be aware of the symptoms, not only children and Elders.

“The main ones are a sore throat, fever, sore glands in the neck, hoarse voice, and just feeling generally unwell,” she said.

“Some people can also develop a thick grey or white coating in the back of the throat.

“And some people might also notice that their neck becomes thick and swollen.”

Dr Basil said children may become tired, irritable, or have trouble eating and drinking.

She said breathing problems need urgent medical attention.

“If somebody’s got trouble with breathing or noisy breathing, if they’re unable to swallow liquids, or they seem really unwell, they should get medical help straight away,” she said.

Diphtheria spreads through close contact with an infected person.

Dr Basil said it can spread through coughing, sneezing, droplets, sharing drinks, or sharing utensils such as cutlery.

“If someone thinks they’ve been exposed or if they develop symptoms, they should contact the AMS or go to the hospital as soon as possible,” she said.

“The important thing is that early testing and treatment can help prevent serious illness and stop the infection spreading to others.

“Giving antibiotics early on can actually clear the infection, which is why we really want patients to come to AMS as soon as possible.”

Mawarnkarra Health Service is also changing how some patients are seen to reduce the risk of infection spreading.

“To avoid the spread of infection, we’re reviewing patients with symptoms outside the clinic reception area and our medical team are prioritising seeing those patients first,” Dr Basil said.

Dr Basil said most people receive the diphtheria vaccine as children, but boosters are needed later in life.

“Vaccination is the best protection against diphtheria,” she said.

“It greatly reduces the risk of becoming seriously ill.

“Most people receive the vaccine as children, but boosters are needed throughout life to keep protection strong.”

She said anyone unsure about their vaccination status can have it checked at Mawarnkarra Health Service.

“If you’re not sure if you’re up to date, Mawarnkarra can check this and we can advise community if they need a booster,” Dr Basil said.

“We’re encouraging all families where children under the age of five are not up to date with the government immunisation schedule to please attend the clinic for vaccines.

“And we encourage people of all ages who are not fully vaccinated to attend for a booster.”