Latest news with #AustralianImmunisationHandbook
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Urgent alert after rare virus case detected
An urgent health alert has been issued after a strain of monkeypox - confirmed to be a strain known to cause a widespread 'pox-like' rash - was detected in a returned Australian travelled. Queensland Health confirmed the case of monkeypox (Mpox) was detected in the state's Metro South region. Testing revealed it to be the Clade 1 strain of the virus - marking the second time in history the more serious strain has ever been detected in Australia. The case was acquired overseas but authorities say the risk to the wider community is very low. Queensland Health confirmed exposure to the public had been limited and contact tracing was underway after the detection. According to the Australian Immunisation Handbook, the symptoms of Mpox can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, headache and muscle aches, followed by a rash within 2-4 days of infection. It spreads primarily through close or intimate contact. Complications of the virus can range from bacterial infections to enciphalitus and pneumonia. The Clade 1 strain of the virus is known cause higher numbers of severe illnesses. Queensland Health said public exposure has been limited. NewsWire/Glenn Campbell Credit: News Corp Australia Free Mpox vaccines are available to high-risk groups through sexual health clinics and GPs. 'Vaccination is available for post-exposure prophylaxis as well as primary preventive vaccination. High risk groups, including all sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and their partners, are eligible for free vaccines through sexual health clinics and general practitioners,' Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said. Minister for Health Tim Nicholls said Queensland health was monitoring the situation. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia Two doses are recommended for optimal protection. Those travelling to areas with Clade 1 transmission are encouraged to get vaccinated before departure. Queensland Health is monitoring the situation.
Herald Sun
21-05-2025
- Health
- Herald Sun
Dr Beverley Peer disputes social media restrictions in Supreme Court
Don't miss out on the headlines from Leader . Followed categories will be added to My News. A Melbourne doctor who 'promoted anti-vaccination' views online has failed to overturn strict medical board conditions, including restricted social media posting It comes as Dr Beverley Peers took her fight with the Medical Board of Australia to the Supreme Court, impugning restrictions on her registration imposed earlier this year. She has been a registered medical practitioner for more than 40 years. Court documents revealed these included her not being able to, 'while identifying herself as a medical practitioner' on social media, endorse any Covid vaccine views inconsistent with Department of Health and Aged Care or Australian Immunisation Handbook guidelines. The board said this was a consequence of a video interview Dr Peers appeared in last year where she 'expressed views which were anti-Covid-19 vaccination and ... seeking to undermine confidence in the Australian Government's Covid-19 program.' 'Dr Peers' views are given further legitimacy by her identifying herself as a medical practitioner during the interview,' the board said. 'The Board reasonably believes that this poses a serious risk to persons and the public.' These conditions were imposed in March 2025 after it had proposed to suspend her months earlier. Dr Peers argued that a person's job did 'not preclude them from political speech protected under the implied freedom of political communication' in the constitution. During the investigation Dr Peers told the board her Facebook was 'no longer active' and there was 'no evidence' she had posted anti-vaccine views since 2021, claiming she was being punished for posts she had made four years ago. Though the board said these posts were not considered in its decision making. She also submitted that the board's concerns were 'moot' given all the relevant public health orders had been repealed. Judge Andrew Watson said the board's actions did not burden on any implied freedoms of political speech. 'The condition regarding public statements does not restrict Dr Peers from engaging in political communication regarding Covid-19 vaccines – it only restricts her from identifying herself as a medical practitioner,' he said. Dr Peers described her conditions as 'tantamount to suspension' — something His Honour disagreed with. 'The conditions imposed by the Board do not prevent her from practising – they are not akin or tantamount to suspension,' he said. The court ruled that Dr Peers application should be dismissed.
