Nursing homes suffer gastroenteritis outbreak
Nursing homes in Sydney’s west have been hit by five outbreaks of gastroenteritis so far this month, health authorities say.
In two of the outbreaks, a bacterial cause is suspected, with four residents in two different nursing homes testing positive to clostridium perfingens – a bacterium known to cause food poisoning.
Sydney West Area Health Service public health director Dr Steve Corbett said authorities were working to identify possible sources of the outbreaks.
“Whenever an outbreak occurs, we work with the facility to ensure all precautions are being taken to protect other residents, including enhanced hygiene measures,” Dr Corbett said today. (news)
Dead birds drop from sky
Dead birds are falling from the sky in Australia for the second time in seven months, raising fears of a possible public health threat.
At least 200 seagulls have been found dead in Perth’s popular beachside suburbs of Woodman Point and Henderson this week, baffling local authorities.
Post-mortem examinations have failed to determine the cause of the birds’ deaths. Last December 5,000 birds died in the coastal town of Esperance, 500 km south of Perth, after being poisoned by lead carbonate blowing through the town as it was being exported through Esperance Port.
The latest incident of dropping birds has led to a major investigation of local industries but government officials admit they are at a loss to know what is killing the gulls. A Department of Health spokesman admitted they could not rule out a risk to public health until the cause of the birds’ deaths had been established. (news)
Second outbreak of Hedra virus in Queensland
Queensland Health is monitoring seven people in north Queensland following a second outbreak of the potentially deadly Hendra virus.
A spokesman on Wednesday afternoon confirmed the department was monitoring the people at Proserpine after a horse at nearby Cannonvale died from the virus on the weekend.
They have been allowed to remain in their homes, he said.
It comes just a day after the department announced a man had tested positive for the potentially fatal disease following an outbreak among horses at a veterinary clinic at Brisbane’s bayside.
He is one of more than 20 staff at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic where three horses were infected with the virus last week.
One horse died and another was put down. A third is recovering. (news)
10 yr old bodybuilding girl causes controversy
A bikini clad 10-year-old girl has appeared in a bodybuilding competition in Melbourne, sparking concern from health experts and family groups.
Maughan Wellham was given her own category because she was so young.
Organisers have said they will consider regular events for 10-year-olds.
“She looked fantastic. She even flexed her abs and the crowds went wild over it,” event organiser Tony Lanciano said.
“I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Mum Michelle Wellham said she saw nothing wrong with her daughter’s daring display at the All Female Natural Muscle & Fitness Classic at the Glen Eira Auditorium last Saturday. (news)
Man discovers glass in ice cream, no recall planned
The discovery of a shard of broken glass in a tub of ice cream has sparked an investigation by Queensland Health.
Peter Watton, a 60-year-old surveyor of Thursday Island, bit on the centimetre-long piece of black glass just two scoops into a new tub on Wednesday night.
His wife, Judy – a senior nursing assistant – yesterday reported the possible contamination to police, Queensland Health and manufacturer Nestle, which agreed to help with an investigation but dismissed the need for a recall.
Mrs Watton, 63, said yesterday: “He opened it up and took a couple of spoonfuls and as he was sucking on the ice cream, felt something in his mouth, spat it out and it was a piece of glass. It is a sharp-edged piece of black glass, in the shape of a pyramid, about 1cm in size. (news)
