Under-pressure health clinic staff combating a diphtheria outbreak in remote communities are getting welcome aid from fly-in nurses and doctors under a federal funding package.
One of Australia's worst diphtheria outbreaks has highlighted a shortfall in health workers in remote communities, with the spread of the disease providing a wake-up call for remote health coverage.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has announced $7.2 million to contain the outbreak, stressing the importance of getting vaccinated.
The peak nursing body welcomed the funding as a good first step, but warned difficulties filling nursing and GP roles in remote and regional areas undermined the ability to meet vaccination targets.
"Now, more than ever, we need strong, secure plans to make sure every part of Australia has proper health coverage," Australian College of Nursing acting chief executive officer Zach Byfield said.
Long-term solutions were needed to get more health staff into remote areas to provide adequate care across the board, he told AAP.
More than 230 diphtheria cases have been recorded across Australia in mostly Indigenous communities - about 30 times the usual yearly average.
NT Health on Thursday said it was awaiting autopsy results for a suspected diphtheria-related death in the territory.
There have been 157 cases reported in the territory this year to May 21, including 46 cases of the potentially deadly respiratory diphtheria.
About 60 per cent of cases are in the Northern Territory, with more infections in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.
Almost all cases have been in Indigenous Australians.
The funding package includes $5.2 million for the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre to send extra doctors and nurses into hard‑hit communities, deliver booster shots and treatment, and buy more vaccines and antibiotics.
Another $2 million will go to national Aboriginal community‑controlled health organisations to work with the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT, local services and other groups in the NT and affected states.
That money will support clear health messages, local community workers and day‑to‑day public health work in towns and remote communities where the disease is spreading.
The size and speed of the outbreak were worrying, Mr Butler said.
"This is a very serious outbreak of a very serious disease," he said on Thursday.
There were enough vaccines but a "surge workforce" was needed to get needles into arms, Mr Butler said.
Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT chief executive Donna Ah Chee said the package would help health clinics already under pressure in remote communities.
Overcrowded housing and limited access to services could increase the spread of infectious diseases, Ms Ah Chee said.
NT Health Minister Steve Edgington said the funding would build on the work NT Health had already done in raising awareness in remote communities.
Diphtheria often begins like a bad cold but can quickly turn deadly.
The bacteria produce toxins that can form a thick grey layer in the throat, block the airway and cause suffocation. About a quarter of patients in the current outbreak have needed hospital care.
