Diphtheria outbreak: residents of remote NT community say health clinic has no hand sanitiser
Residents of Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community, are expressing frustration over the lack of hand sanitiser and information regarding a diphtheria outbreak. The community has reported over 240 cases of the disease, with many locals unaware of how to protect themselves or what to do if they test positive. Despite efforts from NT Health to provide resources, residents feel that communication and support are insufficient.
- ▪Yuendumu has reported over 240 cases of diphtheria since October, primarily affecting Indigenous communities.
- ▪Locals claim the health clinic lacks hand sanitiser and adequate information about the outbreak.
- ▪Residents are frustrated by the lack of guidance on how to avoid the disease and what to do if infected.
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The health clinic in Yuendumu. Locals say they are frustrated by the lack of information around the diphtheria outbreak. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/The GuardianView image in fullscreenThe health clinic in Yuendumu. Locals say they are frustrated by the lack of information around the diphtheria outbreak. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/The GuardianIndigenous AustraliansDiphtheria outbreak: residents of remote NT community say health clinic has no hand sanitiserThere’s a three-week wait on test results in Yuendumu, near Alice Springs, and locals say NT Health has dropped the ball on telling locals what to do if they test positive Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Douglas Smith Indigenous affairs reporterWed 3 Jun 2026 11.00 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on…
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