Community
17 August, 2024
Serious health infection at Yarrabah
HEALTH authorities are working to limit further meningococcal infections at Yarrabah, with two residents admitted to hospital with symptoms and a third person being treated for a suspected meningococcal infection.
Meningococcal infections are relatively rare, however in communities where overcrowding is a significant issue, meningococcal infections have the potential to spread. Yarrabah is the largest Aboriginal community in Australia.
Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services clinical services director Dr Jason King said he was only too aware of the serious risk to the community that meningococcal infection posed.
“Our internal public health team have been working closely with the community since the first case was identified a little over 10 days ago,” he said.
“This second case is of concern, as there is commonality between the two cases’ households, so contact tracing has commenced along with screening of all close and household contacts for signs of symptoms.
“Our public health team have stepped up our vaccination efforts, and will continue to do so, as vaccination is a strong preventative measure, along with continued messaging into the community regarding symptoms and treatment.
“The unfortunate issue here, we are, and will continue to be a high-risk community due to our chronic housing situation. More than 4000 residents squeezed into a little over 400 houses. We have raised this issue for more than 20 years and unfortunately this continues to be an ongoing issue.
“Overcrowded houses will always place the community at risk of totally preventable diseases and illnesses.”
Gurriny Yealamucka chief executive Suzanne Andrews there were regular public health emergencies at Yarrabah that could be eased if there was better housing.
“Mumps in 2018, COVID, APSGN, whooping cough, RHD and now meningococcal, overcrowding in housing impacts upon our ability and our resident’s ability to live strong and healthy lives,” she said.
“This is an issue that we have campaigned about for more than 30 years.
“We can never close the gap until we start to get serious about this and many of the other serious issues that we and every Indigenous community throughout Australia are facing on a daily basis.
“With a state election looming and a federal election planned for next year, it’s time for governments to start to do the right thing about Indigenous Australians.”
