VIDEO: 'Exodus' of doctors from NSW's 'toxic' health system
The public health system in New South Wales is under intense strain, with severe staff shortages and ongoing strikes, as an argument over pay and working conditions between doctors and the state government escalates. 7.30's Hagar Cohen and Richard Mockler report.
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ABC News
33 minutes ago
- ABC News
Warning issued as Irukandji jellyfish sting two swimmers in northern WA
Swimmers in northern Western Australia have been being urged to take precautions after two people were stung by Irukandj jellyfish on Monday. The sting of the jellyfish can cause severe pain, nausea and breathing difficulties. Two people were admitted to hospital after swimming in the Ningaloo Marine Park. They have since been discharged. Griffith University PhD candidate Jess Strickland said two types of Irukandji were found in the Ningaloo region. "Keesingia gigas is the world's largest species of Irukandji and they can get to over 50 centimetres long," she said. "They sort of look like a giant rocket-ship. "The more common species we get is called Mallo bella. "It's a lot smaller — it's your typical sort of Irukandji jellyfish shape, so a small bell about the size of the tip of your thumb, and four tentacles, one coming off each corner." Ms Strickland said encounters were most likely during the dry season. "They're most commonly sighted from March onwards and we're seeing them through into August occasionally," she said. Ms Strickland said the best way to prevent stings was by wearing clothing that covered as much of the skin as possible, such as a lycra swimsuit. "They don't actually have a brain, so they're not consciously choosing to sting someone," she said. "It's a trigger that happens automatically when the jellyfish would brush up against someone." Ms Strickland said Irukandji delivered venom via a "sort of microscopic, harpoon-like structure". "People are at risk of being stung if bare skin brushes up against them," she said. A Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions spokesperson urged visitors to "remain vigilant while enjoying the marine park." "Wearing stinger suits or rash shirts can help reduce the risk of being stung," they said. The spokesperson said any sightings should be reported immediately to Parks and Wildlife authorities. The WA Country Health Service and WA Department of Health declined to comment.
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Health Check: RFK delivers knockout jab to powerful US vaccines committee
US health secretary sacks 17-member panel that advises on US vaccine policy, to 're-establish public confidence in vaccine science' FDA delivers Argenica a stroke trial knock-back, but Syntara is in the fast lane EZZ Life Science soars up to 29% on Southeast Asia distribution deal In a move dubbed both dramatic and extraordinary, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has sacked all 17 members of a body that determines vaccine dosages and at what age they should be administered. In dehiring the Centers for Disease Control's advisory committee on immunisation practices, RFK said: 'a clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science'. Given the famed Kennedy family scion is an anti vaxxer (though he claimed otherwise at his confirmation), some may see the action through a different lens. RFK notes the 'rubber stamping' committee has never recommended against a vaccine – 'even those later withdrawn for safety reasons'. He cites the committee's 'perceived conflicts of interest' and eroded public trust in vaccines, health agencies and pharmaceutical companies. 'Some would try to explain this away by blaming misinformation or anti-science attitudes,' he writes. 'To do so, however, ignores a history of conflicts of interest, persecution of dissidents, a lack of curiosity and skewed science that has plagued the vaccine regulatory apparatus for decades.' Ouch! A central role According to Endpoints News, for four years the panel has played a central role in advising the government on public health policy. During its swansong meeting at the end of the month, the committee is likely to mull recommendations for Covid vaccines. 'RFK had already begun to undercut the committee's work after he unilaterally changed the Covid vaccine schedule to remove recommendations for pregnant women and to change the guidance for children,' Endpoints says. The newsletter says the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to approve Covid jabs only for older and at-risk Americans. The sackings come amid a sharp decline in US vaccination rates well before the Trump Administration took office in January. According to Johns Hopkins University research, childhood vaccination rates for measles, mumps and rubella have been declining since the start of the pandemic. Data from 2066 counties in 33 states shows an average decrease from almost 94% before the pandemic to about 91% after the pandemic, well below 'herd immunity' levels of 95%. Keep an eye on CSL and Medadvisor In an Australian context, stocks vulnerable to any official anti-vaxx measures are CSL (ASX:CSL) and MedAdvisor (ASX:MDR). While CSL derives the lion's share of revenue from blood plasma products, its Seqirus arm is exposed to US flu vaccine demand. Seqirus' December half revenue fell 9%, with 'low immunisation rates significantly impacting the US flu market.' The company believes the problem should right itself when the consequences of a bad flu season – such as increased hospitalisations – become apparent. Medadvisor runs medication compliance programs for Big Pharma, with vaccines accounting for 30 to 50% of its US revenue (depending on the season). Medadvisor's half-year results were impacted by two big pharmaceutical customers reducing their vaccine promotional budgets. Medadvisor chief Rick Ratliff suggests the 'vaccine fatigue and hesitancy' has been compounded by the number of new vaccines to hit the market. These include prophylactics for shingles, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and pneumococcal vaccines. FDA strikes down stroke trial Stroke drug developer Argenica Therapeutics (ASX:AGN) appears to have fallen victim to the FDA's staffing turmoil, with the agency slapping a 'clinical hold' on the company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application. An IND is permission to start a trial; a 'clinical hold' means the applicant needs to do more homework. The agency declared the company's non-clinical data to support the IND 'is not adequate to support initiation of a proposed acute ischaemic stroke trial in the US at this time'. Argenica said it had expected 'some challenges' in receiving the go-ahead within the stipulated 30 days, 'due to current resourcing challenges at the FDA'. As a result, it submitted the application 'much earlier than required'. The company protests – mildly – that it had fulfilled the FDA's requirements, as outlined at a so-called type B meeting. 'Whilst we are obviously disappointed ... we are confident we can provide the additional data required by the FDA in a timely manner,' says Argenica CEO Liz Dallimore. The FDA decision does not affect Argenica's separate phase II trial being carried out here. The study is due for a readout in the September quarter. Meanwhile, the agency has granted advanced stage myelofibrosis developer Syntara (ASX:SNT) fast track designation for its drug candidate SNT-5505. As its name implies, fast track status enables more frequent FDA interaction and discussions on accelerated approval. Syntara says the FDA's stance recognises the significant unmet medical need in myelofibrosis, a rare and serious blood cancer. EZZ inks distribution deal EZZ Life Science (ASX:EZZ) is expanding its Asian foothold by signing up a distributor for Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore for its EZZ-branded products. The three-year deal with ROFA Enterprises Pty Ltd entails minimum purchases of $21 million over the contract term, with ROFA managing all local marketing, logistics and distribution costs. "This is a major milestone in our regional expansion strategy,' EZZ chair Glenn Cross says. 'ROFA's established presence and deep experience in Southeast Asia make them an ideal partner to help scale EZZ's brand footprint across these important markets.' Over the last decade, ROFA Enterprises has exported Australian and NZ dairy, health and beauty products to Southeast Asia. ROFA's distribution network includes more than 10,000 pharmacies, mother and baby stores, supermarkets, and online platforms. Based on genomic life sciences, EZZ has dozens of products on its books. Its bestsellers are lysine (amino acid) growth capsules, bone growth chews and the EZZ Smart Clarity Booster (for enhanced brain function). Investors applauded the deal, with EZZ shares soaring up to 29%. Study highlights Avita's burns treatment credentials Wounds management house Avita Medical (ASX:AVH) says a study of its flagship Recell shows the spray-on skin treatment has reduced hospitalisations by 36%. Avita cites US data aired at the British Burn Association's (BBA) annual meeting, which analysed more than 6300 patients treated with Recell between 2019 and 2024. These patients had total body surface area wounds of less than 30%. Compared with grafts, these patients had an average 35.7% reduction in hospital time, or 6.2 days. The company cites cost savings of $300 million over the 5-year study period. As with grafts, Recell uses the patient's own skin to treat the wound. The difference is the treatment requires only a small amount of material. 'Reducing hospital length of stay has a direct impact on the cost of care, especially in complex cases like severe burns,' Avita CEO Jim Corbett says. More than US 130 burn centres use Recell, but the company is seeking to expand into larger applications such as full-thickness skin defects.
ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Monash IVF admits to new embryo bungle
Monash IVF clinic has incorrectly transferred an embryo into a patient for a second time, four months after it was discovered a woman gave birth to another couple's baby. ( ABC News )
