Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10CANBERRA19
2010-01-08 06:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIA BRACES FOR MOSQUITO BORNE DISEASE JUMP
how-toVZCZCXRO3113 OO RUEHPT DE RUEHBY #0019 0080607 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 080607Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2496 INFO RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 5593 RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR 2662 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 1861 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3793 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0205 RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 6887 RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 5151 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 5158 RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM
UNCLAS CANBERRA 000019
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/IHA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA BRACES FOR MOSQUITO BORNE DISEASE JUMP
UNCLAS CANBERRA 000019
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/IHA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA BRACES FOR MOSQUITO BORNE DISEASE JUMP
1. (SBU) Australian health authorities are concerned about an
expected jump in the number of mosquito borne diseases in New
South Wales and Southern Queensland, including Ross River
Virus (RRV),following heavy summer rains. Department of
Health and Ageing Assistant Secretary for Surveillance is
stepping up coordination with state and local health
practitioners and is trying to head off a big jump in RRV
cases in the next few weeks through a public awareness
campaign and heightened surveillance. The heavy rains and
subsequent flooding have created ideal conditions for a boom
in mosquito populations, and the government is advising
residents of flooded areas to take precautions against
mosquitos, including long clothing, use of insect repellent,
and ensuring mosquito screens are secure. Another concern is
a possible spike in cases of the related Chikungunya Virus,
which has more serious health impacts and occurs infrequently
in Australia but is widespread in Asia.
2. (SBU) RRV causes joint pain, arthritic fever, and fatigue
with symptoms lasting in many cases for months. Severe cases
can result in debilitating symptoms that last years. RRV and
other mosquito borne diseases are reported to the National
Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. NNDSS data shows that
there were 4729 cases of Ross River Virus and 19 cases of
Chikungunya in 2009.
CLUNE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/IHA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA BRACES FOR MOSQUITO BORNE DISEASE JUMP
1. (SBU) Australian health authorities are concerned about an
expected jump in the number of mosquito borne diseases in New
South Wales and Southern Queensland, including Ross River
Virus (RRV),following heavy summer rains. Department of
Health and Ageing Assistant Secretary for Surveillance is
stepping up coordination with state and local health
practitioners and is trying to head off a big jump in RRV
cases in the next few weeks through a public awareness
campaign and heightened surveillance. The heavy rains and
subsequent flooding have created ideal conditions for a boom
in mosquito populations, and the government is advising
residents of flooded areas to take precautions against
mosquitos, including long clothing, use of insect repellent,
and ensuring mosquito screens are secure. Another concern is
a possible spike in cases of the related Chikungunya Virus,
which has more serious health impacts and occurs infrequently
in Australia but is widespread in Asia.
2. (SBU) RRV causes joint pain, arthritic fever, and fatigue
with symptoms lasting in many cases for months. Severe cases
can result in debilitating symptoms that last years. RRV and
other mosquito borne diseases are reported to the National
Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. NNDSS data shows that
there were 4729 cases of Ross River Virus and 19 cases of
Chikungunya in 2009.
CLUNE