The epidemiology of amoebiasis in the Northern Territory of Australia over 20 years (2005 – 2024)

Authors

  • Dr Bhavya Balasubramanya Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Division , Northern Territory Department of Health, Darwin, Australia; Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia; Flinders Northern Territory Medical Program, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Darwin, Australia
  • Hayley JC Dyke Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Division, Northern Territory Department of Health, Darwin, Australia
  • Sarah A Lynar Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Division, Northern Territory Department of Health, Darwin, Australia; Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia; Division of Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia
  • Kelly Lomas Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Division, Northern Territory Department of Health, Darwin, Australia
  • Kimberley McMahon Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Division, Northern Territory Department of Health, Darwin, Australia
  • Vicki L Krause Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Division, Northern Territory Department of Health, Darwin, Australia
  • Anthony DK Draper Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Division, Northern Territory Department of Health, Darwin, Australia; Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia; National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.058

Keywords:

amoebiasis, epidemiology, Entamoeba histolytica, Northern Territory, Australia

Abstract

Amoebiasis is an important parasitic cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is known to be endemic in Northern Australia. The Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction in Australia where amoebiasis is notifiable. The epidemiology of amoebiasis across Australia is not well described. We undertook this retrospective study to describe the epidemiology of amoebiasis in the Northern Territory from 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2024. Data were obtained from the Northern Territory Notifiable Disease System. Of the 26 cases identified, most were men (81%), non-Indigenous (88%) and with infection overseas acquired (69%). Most had extra-intestinal manifestations (65%), and most required hospitalisation (54%). There was one death related to amoebic splenic abscess. Of the seven locally acquired cases, all resided in the Top End and Katherine regions, and two were children. The highest annual incidence occurred in 2024, all of whom were returned travellers. This study highlights that amoebiasis in the Northern Territory is both endemic and overseas acquired, and that clinicians should consider this differential diagnosis in people presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms and initiate timely testing and appropriate treatment.

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References

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Published

22/10/25

How to Cite

Balasubramanya, Bhavya, Hayley Dyke, Sarah Lynar, Kelly Lomas, Kimberley McMahon, Vicki Krause, and Anthony Draper. 2025. “The Epidemiology of Amoebiasis in the Northern Territory of Australia over 20 Years (2005 – 2024)”. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 49 (October). https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.058.

Issue

Vol. 49 (2025)

Section

Original article

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