Latest news with #healthoutbreak
Malay Mail
20-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Health authorities investigate mysterious deaths of workers in Ulu Baram
MIRI, July 20 — The Miri Division Health Office has confirmed receiving preliminary reports of melioidosis cases and multiple fatalities involving workers near Sungai Kalai in Ulu Baram. According to health officer Dr P. Raviwharmman Packierisamy, a team comprising a medical officer and health inspectors has been deployed to the affected camp, which is located approximately nine to ten hours' drive from Miri via off-road timber tracks. 'A team from the Miri Division Health Office has been dispatched to the site to conduct investigations, screen other individuals with symptoms, make early referrals to the nearest healthcare facilities, and carry out health education, sanitation, and disease control measures,' he told The Borneo Post. The action follows reports of recent deaths involving several workers in the Ulu Baram area over the past week. Dr Raviwharmman noted that the health office has been working closely with the camp's management and that cooperation from the latter has been constructive. He emphasised that the situation remains isolated and is currently under control. It is understood that four men have died in recent weeks, with the most recent fatality recorded on Saturday, July 19. The individual reportedly passed away while receiving treatment at Miri Hospital. The series of deaths has reportedly raised concern and unease among nearby village communities, prompting heightened monitoring by the authorities. — The Borneo Post * Editor's note: An earlier version erroneously described the fatalities as affecting timber workers and has since been corrected.
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Legionnaires' death reported, outbreak declared
A Legionnaires' outbreak has been declared by the Middlesex-London Health Unit. Over the past week, one death and upwards of 43 cases have been reported to the health unit. The health unit said most of the cases live and or work in a six kilometer radius of one another in the southeast side of the city. Legionella bacteria are naturally found in water sources such as hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems or parts of air-conditioning systems. If the bacteria are then aerosolized or misted into the air (from wind or fans), people may inhale the bacteria and become unwell. The health unit said most people exposed to Legionella do not become ill, though some may experience a milder illness called Pontiac Fever, which resolves itself. People who are older, have lung problems or are immunocompromised are at greater risk for serious infection. Legionella is not transmitted from person-to-person. Symptoms of Legionnaires' *Symptoms typically develop two to ten days after exposure
Daily Mail
28-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Urgent vaccination warning for Aussie travellers heading to Europe
At least four European countries frequented by Australian tourists have reported outbreaks of the highly contagious Hepatitis A virus. A significant increase in the liver infection has been reported in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia from January to May - with a total of 2097 cases this year. Slovakia, which has had an outbreak since late 2022, reported 880 cases this year. Austria has recorded 87 cases including three deaths, and Czechia has seen 600 cases including six deaths, with young children being the most affected group. Hungary has experienced 530 cases, mainly among adults, and Germany - though not labelled an affected country - had three cases matching Hungary and Austria. A spokesperson for the Interim Australian Centre for Disease Control has warned Australians to take care regarding the current outbreak in Europe. 'Australian travellers should be aware that hepatitis A is highly contagious,' they told The Daily Telegraph. 'You can get infected after ingesting the virus by: eating contaminated raw food... drinking contaminated water... handling soiled nappies, linen or towels of an infectious person; sharing personal items with an infectious close or intimate contact with an infectious person.' The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control issued a risk assessment on Hepatitis A (HAV) on June 18. 'This outbreak reminds us that hepatitis A can cause serious illness and death, especially among people with limited access to healthcare and basic hygiene,' it said. 'Vaccination and good hygiene are the best ways to protect against hepatitis A infection.' The centre's head of unit for One Health Related Diseases said the group would need to 'strengthen outreach' through access to vaccination and basic sanitation. Hepatitis A, which is caused by a virus spread via contaminated faeces making its way into food and drink, is not common in Australia. The virus typically spreads through a lack of clean water and by not cleaning things correctly, Hepatitis Australia said. People can also get hepatitis A through close physical contact with someone who has it, including through oral or anal sex. Almost everyone who has the virus will recover, but a small number can get very sick or die from liver failure. The majority of people affected are those aged 50 years or older, or who have other health issues (like hepatitis B or C). Smartraveller's advice for Australians to avoid infectious diseases including Hepatitis A also suggested a range of sanitation measures. 'Wash your hands often and use hand sanitiser before you eat,' the advice said. 'Drink bottled water from a sealed bottle.' Smartraveller also suggested using water-sterilising tablets or filtration bottles to make tap water safe and washing fresh produce with bottled or sterilised water. Australians are advised to avoid drinks with ice cubes, uncooked or undercooked food, fresh salads and raw vegetables. They are also told to avoid contact with water or soil that may be contaminated with sewage and, in some places, swimming or wading in any fresh water. Signs of the infection include a high temperature, flu-like symptoms - such as fatigue, headache and muscle pains - feeling or being sick, abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, pale grey coloured faeces and itchy skin. In more severe cases, a patient's skin and eyes may appear yellow, a condition known as jaundice and a serious sign the liver is struggling to function correctly.
ABC News
24-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Cairns hospital patient dies from rare, soil-borne disease melioidosis
A hospital patient in Far North Queensland has died from the rare soil-borne disease, melioidosis. The fatality reported by the Cairns Hospital and Health Service, is the 32nd fatal case of melioidosis recorded in Queensland this year. The patient was diagnosed with the tropical disease at the start of June. Melioidosis is caused by a bacterium found in soil and water in northern Australia. Most cases occur during the wet season or after heavy rain or flooding. Queensland experienced a significantly above-average wet season from October to April. Townsville in particular recorded its highest wet-season rainfall on record. The record-breaking rain has prompted a surge in melioidosis cases with 235 patients diagnosed with the disease in Queensland this year. It's almost four times the number of cases recorded this time last year. In 2024 Queensland Health recorded a total of 81 melioidosis cases. Queensland Health stated that the outbreak of melioidosis peaked in April and, over the past seven days, the state had not recorded any new cases. There is no vaccine to prevent melioidosis, but Queensland Health said people in North Queensland should take care around soil and muddy water. Anyone gardening is urged to wear gloves and footwear, and those using pressure hoses should wear a face mask. Queensland Health data shows 74 per cent of the 235 melioidosis cases detected this year were in people aged 50 or older. Ninety-four per cent of cases were people who were particularly vulnerable to the disease, with underlying health conditions like diabetes and cancer. Symptoms of melioidosis include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, and sepsis can occur in rare cases.
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 19 May
Samoa's Ministry of Health Headquarters. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Dominic Godfrey Samoa's Ministry of Health has declared its whooping cough outbreak over. It said last Wednesday that this follows a consistent decline in reported case and no suspected cases in the previous four weeks. The outbreak of the disease, also known as pertussis, was declared on 28 November last year. It said that the total of suspected and confirmed cases since the declaration had reached 427. The Ministry said that while the spread of the disease is under control, people are urged not to be complacent and to check their children's immunisations are up to date. Police in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea have been investigating the deaths of two young children whose bodies were found in an abandoned car outside the city at the beginning of this month. According to police the four and five year olds were last seen alive at the beginning of March. Their remains were found in a vehicle at Gereka, just outside Port Moresby. A postmortem was conducted at Port Moresby General Hospital on 6 May to determine the cause of death. NBC reported the Police Commissioner David Manning saying the Crimes Investigation Team is working around the clock to gather evidence and identify witnesses. He also expressed grave concern over the increasing trend of child abuse in the country, condemning these as despicable acts and betrayals of trust. He has urged parents and guardians to take their responsibilities seriously and he reminded the public of the 'Lukautim Pikinini Act', which carries severe penalties for negligence and abuse. A jury trial is set for July in a federal child pornography case in the Northern Marianas. The case is against Nicolas Franklin Salas Palacios, who faces charges of possession of and access with intent to view child pornography. He has entered a plea of not guilty. The indictment includes a forfeiture notice, signaling that if convicted, the accused may be required to forfeit specific items or face a money judgment as an alternative. He remains detained at the Department of Corrections pending trial. Starlink has been installed at Rotuma Government Station in Fiji, as part of a broader project to connect 10 rural and maritime government stations across the country. Fiji's government said this technological advancement will allow civil servants to access real-time information and improve communication with headquarters, while also opening digital doors for nearby communities. The initiative is also designed to improve coordination during emergency situations. The Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Baron Waqa is visiting New Zealand this week. He will meet New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Pacific Peoples Minister Shane Reti. Ulu o Tokelau Esera Tuisano will also make his first official visit to New Zealand, ahead of New Zealand and Tokelau celebrating a centenary of their constitutional relationship next year. Peters said regular face-to-face dialogue is crucial for underpinning New Zealand's relationships throughout the region. New Zealand is hosting the council of the University of the South Pacific on Monday. Twelve Pacific countries will be represented at the meeting. Pacific Peoples and Universities Minister Shane Reti said New Zealand's role as hosts reflects the country's steadfast commitment to advancing tertiary education through Pacific regionalism.
