HEALTH INFORMATION
There have been some recent reports of health related incidents in the Alice Springs regions. Please review the information below.
Murray Valley Encephalitis
There have been recent national media reports of two people dying in Alice Springs from Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) and this has raised some concerns relating to travel to central Australia to attend the Amazing Arid Australia conference.
The disease is named after the Murray-Darling River Basin as this is where the virus was first isolated and identified during a major epidemic in 1951. MVE is recognized as occurring across Australia, more commonly in the north, but not limited to this area. The disease is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes, which is more of an issue following floods.
Prevention
The Australian Centre of Disease Control recommends that preventing mosquito bites is the best protection. Covering skin with long sleeves , long trousers and covered shoes and using insect repellent containing DEET is recommended.
For further information visit the CDC Website.
Diphtheria
Recently there has been an outbreak of Diphtheria across Australia. Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract or skin. It most often spreads through coughing and sneezing, or direct contact with a wound. The disease is treatable with antibiotics.
The risk of contracting Diphtheria while at the conference is considered extremely low.
Prevention
The Australian Centre of Disease Control recommends that getting vaccinated is the best protection.
For more information visit the CDC Website.