Two children diagnosed with first cases of diphtheria of the throat in NSW this century

Unvaccinated two-year-old and six-year-old from northern NSW diagnosed with potentially deadly bacterial infection

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A toddler is in intensive care and a second child has been hospitalised after contracting the first cases of diphtheria of the throat in New South Wales this century.

Diphtheria is a contagious and potentially deadly bacterial infection. It affects the throat and tonsils in its most severe form, resulting in a greyish-white membrane forming that can make it hard to swallow and breathe.