NEW DIPHTHERIA CASES AT ROEBOURNE CHILD CARE, KARRATHA'S EVOLUTION NIGHTCLUB

Health authorities are urging anyone who was at Karratha’s Evolution nightclub late on Saturday, September 12, to get checked for diphtheria. Image: Gian De Poloni

Pilbara residents and travellers who may have visited a childcare centre in Roebourne or Evolution Lounge Bar in Karratha two weeks ago are being urged to get checked for diphtheria, after the WA Health Department today confirmed two new cases of the highly contagious disease.

The department said it was recently notified of two new cases of diphtheria linked to the Roebourne-Ieramagadu childcare centre, and one of those, a individual with respiratory diphtheria, also visited the popular Karratha nightclub.

That individual later went to the popular Karratha nightclub while infectious two weeks ago, between 11pm on Saturday September 12 and 3.30am on Sunday morning, September 13.

KARRATHA CLUBBING CREW URGED TO CHECK FOR SYMPTOMS

Health authorities said in a statement that anyone who was at the nightclub during those hours should monitor themselves for symptoms for up to 10 days after their visit and seek medical advice as soon as possible if they become unwell.

Public health teams are working with local health services in Roebourne and Karratha on the response to these latest cases, just one week after a case and 13 high-risk contacts were identified at the Woodbrook cultural area near the Roebourne-Ieramagadu.

WA Health staff and local health services are now identifying and contacting children, families and staff who may have been exposed at the childcare centre.

Testing, preventive antibiotics and vaccination are being provided where required.

A dedicated outreach clinic was also held in Roebourne earlier this week to support the public health response and provide assessment, testing and vaccination services.

There are two types of diphtheria, cuteanous (or skin-related) and respiratory (breathing and throat-related); and health authorities would be particularly concerned as the symptoms from respiratory cases can turn severe quickly.

ROEBOURNE CHILDCARE CENTRE FAMILIES A HIGH PRIORITY

WA Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Huppatz said respiratory diphtheria could cause severe and potentially life-threatening illness and urged anyone contacted by public health teams to act immediately on the advice provided.

“This is a serious infection, and we are taking urgent action to protect children, families, staff and the wider community,” she said.

“Our immediate priority is identifying high-risk contacts and ensuring they receive testing, preventive antibiotics and vaccination as quickly as possible.”

Dr Huppatz also said it was particularly important for those with children in a childcare setting, where infants and young children may not yet be fully vaccinated.

“If you are contacted by a public health staff member, please follow their advice, even if you or your child feel well,” she said.

“Anyone who develops symptoms should stay home, seek medical advice and call ahead before attending a clinic or hospital.”

GET CHECKED AND VACCINATED AGAINST DIPHTHERIA NOW

Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness due to diphtheria.

Free diphtheria booster vaccinations are available to Aboriginal people across Western Australia and for all people living in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields and Midwest regions.

Community members in Roebourne and Karratha are strongly encouraged to check their vaccination status and seek medical advice if they are unsure whether they or their children are up to date.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection spread through close contact with an infected person, including breathing in respiratory droplets, direct contact with saliva, respiratory secretions or infected skin sores, or contact with contaminated items such as bandages or towels.

SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR:

Respiratory (throat) diphtheria often starts with a sore throat and fever.

It can cause a thick greyish-white coating in the back of the nose or throat, and swollen, painful glands in the neck.

In severe cases, it can make breathing or swallowing difficult and can become life threatening.

Cutaneous (skin) diphtheria is usually less severe than respiratory diphtheria and typically presents as slow-healing skin sores, wounds or ulcers.

It can also develop when an existing skin sore or wound becomes infected.

WA Health continues to work closely with local health services, the childcare provider and Aboriginal community organisations to identify any further cases and reduce transmission.