A Holtze Prison inmate is being treated for a less serious form of diphtheria, the Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control has confirmed.
NT CDC director Dr Vicki Krause said her organisation was notified of a case of cutaneous diphtheria, but to date had found no further transmission from the single case thanks to the prompt notification from health staff within Holtze Prison.
She said cutaneous diphtheria was caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheria, and is a less common version of the disease diphtheria.
Cutaneous diphtheria results in skin lesions or ulcers, particularly on the legs, while the deadly respiratory diphtheria affects the throat and airway, causing swelling of the soft tissues on both sides of the neck, and a membrane that forms over the throat and tonsils can make it difficult for the person to swallow and breathe.
Cutaneous diphtheria can cause respiratory diphtheria in those who come into contact with the infected person.
The CDC said cutaneous diphtheria infections need wound treatment, as they are slow healing and can become chronic if left untreated, but infections rarely cause the serious complications seen in respiratory diphtheria.
Diphtheria poses a greater risk of severe illness for young children.
“When a case of a notifiable disease is notified to the CDC, a response is initiated in conjunction with the health staff treating the patient. Protocols and treatment are undertaken to mitigate any further transmission,” Dr Krause said.
“It has also highlighted that people should be up-to-date with their vaccinations for this vaccine preventable disease that are recommended for babies, children, adolescents and for adults.”
It was unclear where the inmate was infected.
Dr Krause said the diphtheria vaccine is free for babies, children, adolescents and pregnant women.
The Holtze prison is currently overcrowded with inmates, with the union representing prison guards previously describing the situation at Holtze as “chaos”, with officers concerned about their safety. It was reported last year that some inmates were not permitted to leave their cells due to guard shortages, with some rehabilitation programs also being cancelled.
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