Travel warning issued to Brits over highly contagious ‘bull-neck’ virus outbreak ‘worst in decades’

Australia is currently dealing with its worst outbreak of a preventable disease in decades.

Back in March, the Northern Territory (NT) declared an outbreak of diphtheria and cases have been rising also in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. The NT has recorded its first death related to the disease since 2018 as the government ramps up vaccine efforts.

Informally referred to as the ‘bull neck virus’, diphtheria is a contagious infection that affects the nose and throat, and sometimes the skin. While it’s rare here in the UK, there’s a small risk of catching it if you travel to other parts of the world.

And unvaccinated Brits are being warned about travelling Down Under as Aussie officials work to stop the spread of the contagious infection.

Symptoms include a sore throat and swollen glands in your neck. (Getty Stock)

Diptheria

While it can be prevented by vaccines, diphtheria can be a serious illness and sometimes fatal, especially in kids, if it isn’t treated quickly.

It’s spread by coughs and sneezes, sharing items or through close contact with an infected person.

As per the NHS, symptoms of the bacterial infection include:

· a thick grey-white coating that may cover the back of your throat, nose and tongue

· a high temperature (fever)

· sore throat

· swollen glands in your neck – leading to this ‘bull neck’ nickname

· difficulty breathing and swallowing

And in places with poor hygiene, infection of the skin (cutaneous diphtheria) is more common, this can cause:

· pus-filled blisters on legs, feet and hands

· large ulcers surrounded by red, sore-looking skin

The symptoms usually start two to five days after becoming infected.

It can be treated with the likes of antibiotics to kill the bacteria, medicines to stop the effects of the harmful toxins and by thoroughly cleaning any infected wounds.

It’s important to get medical help as soon as possible if you have symptoms while travelling, the NHS warns against waiting until you get back to the UK.

Unvaccinated Brits are warned of travelling. (Getty Stock image)

Australian outbreak of diphtheria

This year, there have been 245 cases of diphtheria – the largest outbreak in Aus since 1991.

The NT government has ramped up vaccine efforts in areas most at risk in recent weeks and health officials said on Tuesday (26 May) that the number of new cases was now falling.

“Our government has taken this situation very seriously, and we are working hard to understand the causes and working to contain the situation," NT Health Minister Steve Edgington said.

He added that there has been over 10,000 vaccinations since the end of March.

This all comes as vaccine rates in the UK have dipped in recent years.

"Diphtheria is still a risk for unvaccinated travellers to countries where the uptake of diphtheria containing vaccines is low.

“Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection.

“Travellers should ensure they are up to date with their routine vaccines according to the UK routine immunisation schedule.”

The UK Government's Travel Health Pro website has included the listing of the Australian outbreak and says on its diphtheria information page:

"Diphtheria is still a risk for unvaccinated travellers to countries where the uptake of diphtheria containing vaccines is low.

"Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection. Travellers should ensure they are up to date with their routine vaccines according to the UK routine immunisation schedule."