FIJI HEALTH AUTHORITIES MAP TYPHOID OUTBREAK
Health authorities in Fiji have begun an intensive health mapping of the Northern Division following an outbreak of typhoid, Radio Australia reported (10/3/10). A total of 113 cases have been recorded since the start of the year. Inspectors have now begun surveying the area to identify sources of contamination and potential hazards to control and eliminate the spread of the disease. Spokesman for Fiji's Ministry of Health, Iliesa Tora, says the survey will take two weeks and will provide authorities with a detailed database on affected areas.
WHO RELEASES NEW MALARIA GUIDELINES FOR TREATMENT AND MEDICINES
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is releasing new guidelines for the treatment of malaria, and the first ever guidance on procuring safe and efficacious anti-malarial medicines.
In recent years a new type of treatment called artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs) has transformed the treatment of malaria, but if not used properly the medicine could become ineffective (9/3/10).
The Guidelines for the Treatment of Malaria (second edition) provides evidence-based and current recommendations for countries on malaria diagnosis and treatment. The main changes from the first edition of the guidelines (published in 2006) are the emphasis on testing before treating and the addition of a new ACT to the list of recommended treatments.
The world now has the means to rapidly diagnose malaria and treat it effectively” said Dr Robert Newman, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Program (GMP). "WHO now recommends diagnostic testing in all cases of suspected malaria. Treatment based on clinical symptoms alone should be reserved for settings where diagnostic tests are not available," he added.
AFRICA UNITED IN FIGHT AGAINST POLIO OUTBREAK
More than 85 million children under five years old will be immunised against polio in 19 countries across West and Central Africa in a massive example of cross-border cooperation aimed at stopping a year-long polio epidemic, WHO reported (4/3/10).
Nine countries in West and Central Africa – Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone – are considered to have active outbreaks of polio (i.e. cases within the last six months).
The campaign kicked off on March 6 in these countries as well as Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Central African Republic, Gambia, Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau. Niger, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire will join at a later date due to political transitions or elections. Over 400,000 volunteers and health workers will take part in the campaign. This complex logistical operation is largely made possible by US$ 30 million in funding released by Rotary International, a major partner in the global effort to stop polio.
DETAILS: Samuel Ajibola, WHO/AFRO, on +47 241 39378; ajibolas@afro.who.int;
Martin Dawes, UNICEF West and Central Africa, on +221 77 569 1926; mdawes@unicef.org
GPEI: www.polioeradication.org
Martin Dawes, UNICEF West and Central Africa, on +221 77 569 1926; mdawes@unicef.org
GPEI: www.polioeradication.org
To track the progress of the campaign, visit the GPEI Google Maps: English: http://bit.ly/Google_maps_GPEI_Polio_En; French: http://bit.ly/google_maps_GPEI_polio_fr
STUDY SHOWS DCIS INCREASES RISK OF INVASIVE BREAST CANCER
Women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are at significantly increased risk of being diagnosed with a subsequent invasive breast cancer according to study findings released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) (9/3/10).
The study, Risk of invasive breast cancer in women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ in Australia between 1995 and 2005, provides the first Australian data on the risk of invasive breast cancer following a diagnosis of DCIS. While the risk of invasive breast cancer was higher for women diagnosed with DCIS, these women generally had relatively small invasive breast cancers and these cancers were less likely to have spread to the lymph nodes.
REPORT: http://www.aihw.gov.au/mediacentre/2010/mr20100309.cfm
GOVERNMENT ON TRACK TO CLOSE THE GAP ON INFANT MORTALITY
Research that helps map the progress of improving Australian Indigenous child mortality and health and sets targets was launched by an expert Indigenous health advisory body. The National Indigenous Health Equality Council (NIHEC) has completed two reports: the Child Mortality Targets: Recommendations and Analysis and National Target Setting Instrument. REPORT: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr10-ws- ws017.htm?OpenDocument&yr=2010&mth=3
GOVERNMENT ON TRACK TO CLOSE THE GAP ON INFANT MORTALITY
Research that helps map the progress of improving Australian Indigenous child mortality and health and sets targets was launched by an expert Indigenous health advisory body. The National Indigenous Health Equality Council (NIHEC) has completed two reports: the Child Mortality Targets: Recommendations and Analysis and National Target Setting Instrument. REPORT: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr10-ws- ws017.htm?OpenDocument&yr=2010&mth=3
SENATE VOTES TO END CROSS-BORDER DIALYSIS CRISIS
The Australian Senate voted in favour of a Greens motion calling on the Federal Government to intervene to sort out the long lasting cross-border dialysis crisis in Central Australia (10/3/10).
Dialysis patients from South Australia's Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands have been unable to access ongoing treatment in nearby Alice Springs, and are being forced to travel thousands of kilometres to Adelaide for treatment because of a lack of agreement
between the SA and NT governments.
"It's totally unacceptable that this situation has been allowed to drag on for so many months," said Greens Health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert. "My motion called on the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon to urge the South Australian Government to commit to the establishment of an agreement as a matter of priority. I hope this happens without any further delay.
"I congratulate the WA Government on its recent commitment to work out an agreement with the NT to allow renal patients living east of Warburton access to dialysis services across the border in the Northern Territory. There's no reason that South Australia can't do the same,” Senator Siewert said.
The Australian Senate voted in favour of a Greens motion calling on the Federal Government to intervene to sort out the long lasting cross-border dialysis crisis in Central Australia (10/3/10).
Dialysis patients from South Australia's Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands have been unable to access ongoing treatment in nearby Alice Springs, and are being forced to travel thousands of kilometres to Adelaide for treatment because of a lack of agreement
between the SA and NT governments.
"It's totally unacceptable that this situation has been allowed to drag on for so many months," said Greens Health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert. "My motion called on the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon to urge the South Australian Government to commit to the establishment of an agreement as a matter of priority. I hope this happens without any further delay.
"I congratulate the WA Government on its recent commitment to work out an agreement with the NT to allow renal patients living east of Warburton access to dialysis services across the border in the Northern Territory. There's no reason that South Australia can't do the same,” Senator Siewert said.
DETAILS: Fernando de Freitas on 0417 174 302.
HIP FRACTURES DECLINE AMONG OLDER AUSTRALIANS
HIP FRACTURES DECLINE AMONG OLDER AUSTRALIANS
The incidence of hip fractures among older Australians declined consistently between 1997-98 and 2006-07, but more so for women than men, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (5/3/10).
The report, The problem of osteoporotic hip fracture in Australia, shows that over the ten year period, the incidence rate for osteoporotic hip fracture decreased by 14% for men and by 20% for women.
“The fact that the incidence of hip fractures decreased more slowly among males may indicate that men could benefit from increased attention to prevention of underlying risk factors,” said report co-author Tracy Dixon. “While the overall incidence rate of osteoporotic hip fractures is declining, the actual number of cases is still on the rise due to a growing and ageing population,” she said. There were about 16,500 osteoporotic hip fractures among Australians aged 40 years or over in 2006-07. DETAILS: Tracy Dixon, AIHW, on 02 6244 1103 or mob 0418 271 395.
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