Background
In May 2026, Kimberley, Pilbara and the Goldfields region of Western Australia, experienced an outbreak of diphtheria. Effective outbreak management required close collaboration between clinical services and environmental health practitioners to support case management, prevent further transmission, and strengthen community awareness. This response highlighted the value of integrating environmental health and clinical care in a culturally diverse and geographically remote setting.
Aim
To describe the role of Aboriginal Environmental Health Officers (AEHO) in supporting a coordinated public health response to an outbreak through partnership with Population Health nurses, community engagement, health promotion, and Healthy Homes activities.
Methods
The AEHO worked alongside Population Health nurses to support the identification, follow up, and management of confirmed diphtheria cases and their close contacts. Activities included assisting with contact tracing, facilitating household visits, providing culturally appropriate health education, and supporting communication between visiting clinicians and community members. Healthy Homes inspections were used as an opportunity to deliver practical education on diphtheria transmission, infection prevention, personal hygiene, and the importance of vaccination. Individuals presenting with skin sores or suspected skin infections were encouraged to seek medical assessment and treatment. The AEHO also acted as a cultural broker, introducing visiting nurses from Broome to local families and community leaders, helping to establish trust and strengthen engagement with public health interventions.
Results
The integrated approach improved communication between clinical staff and community members, increased access to households, and supported timely screening of close contacts. Community education delivered during Healthy Homes visits reinforced key prevention messages and promoted vaccination uptake. The identification and referral of individuals with skin sores provided an additional opportunity for early intervention and treatment of conditions associated with increased infection risk. The involvement of a local Aboriginal Environmental Health Officers enhanced community trust, reduced barriers to engagement, and ensured health messages were delivered in a culturally appropriate manner. This strengthened the effectiveness of both environmental health and clinical response activities throughout the outbreak.
Conclusion
This outbreak response demonstrated that environmental health practitioners can play a critical role in communicable disease management when integrated with clinical care teams. Aboriginal Environmental Health Officers are uniquely positioned to bridge cultural, environmental, and healthcare systems, particularly in remote communities. Integrating environmental health and clinical care can improve community engagement, support disease prevention, and strengthen public health responses during infectious disease outbreaks.