RCM Breakfast Meeting Report – 19 July 2022 - Reporter Steve Turner
President Rohan opened the meeting with an Acknowledgement of Country then invited Chair Michelle to propose a Toast to Rotary International. Rohan then welcomed our Guest Speaker, Dr Natasha Castree and all members present.
GUEST SPEAKER
Dr Natasha Castree, Principal Public Health Medical Officer, Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Victoria.
Topic: “Communicable Diseases in Public Health”
Within the Department of Health, the Public Health Division works to protect the health and safety of the community through a range of prevention and response work. The Communicable Diseases section is responsible for managing the risk to public health of over 70 different infectious diseases. Natasha's presentation provided an overview of the work of her department, with a focus on their response to a few key diseases of current importance and interest, such as Monkeypox, Japanese Encephalitis and other mosquito transmitted diseases.
Even though COVID Is a major area of concern worldwide, Japanese Encephalitis and other mosquito-borne diseases, and Monkeypox are becoming more prevalent in many countries, particularly in Africa. The presentation provided excellent insight into many factors associated with these latter two diseases.
As at 14 July 2022, there were 33 cases (confirmed and probable) of Monkeypox in Australia. This included 12 in Victoria. The recent outbreak has been detected in the UK, Europe, North America and the Middle East. Dr Castree explained Monkeypox is a disease with symptoms similar to those seen previously with smallpox. It is spread through close contact with an infected person or animals, or with contaminated material. The Public Health Division is working closely with our state and territory counterparts to ensure a swift and coordinated response.
Dr Castree explained how Public Health messaging regarding Monkeypox is focused on making the public and health professionals aware of the symptoms and communicating with people most at risk to make sure they seek medical advice if necessary. =National expert groups have developed Monkeypox treatment and vaccine guidelines.
Dr Castree explained that Japanese Encephalitis is spread by mosquitoes that have bitten an infected animal and then bitten a human. At present, in Australia, commercial piggeries are considered to the biggest source of the transmission.
Most Japanese encephalitis virus infections in people are asymptomatic, however, those with severe infection (which occurs in less than one per cent of cases) may experience neck stiffness, coma, and more rarely, permanent neurological complications or death.
A safe and effective vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis is available for people aged 2 months and older. It is currently only recommended for those at highest risk of infection.
In the current outbreak, there have been over 40 known cases in Australia. However, because most humans that contract the virus are asymptomatic, the number of human infections is difficult to estimate.
Following some interesting questions, the chairman thanked Dr Castree for her efforts in the public health sector and for a very informative presentation.
Announcements
- Kevin Love reminded members of the tree planting working bee on Saturday 23 July at Phillip Island.
- Campbell Chambers announced an opportunity to run a sausage sizzle at Bunnings on the AFL Grand Final Day. He is looking for volunteers to assist.
- Neville Taylor announced: A couple of weeks ago information was sent to members regarding the documentary on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking featuring Roxan Fabiano, CEO of HerSpace -- who spoke at our breakfast meeting in April. Roxan has passed on her appreciation to Rotary Central Melbourne for the support to their work, with several members viewing the video and making donations (when EthicalJobs.com committed to match the fundraising). The target of $7,000 was reached, which was doubled to $14,000, a great result to support the women recovering from modern slavery in Australia.
Member Milestones
The following milestones cover the period to our next Online Meeting on the 26th July 2022
Members’ Birthdays
- CAVELL, Warwick CAVELL, 21 Jul
- Sarah OVERTON, 22 Jul
- Russell ROLLS, 23 Jul
- Cec AKERLEY, 28 Jul
Partner Birthdays
- Con Matsamakis, Spouse of Stella AVRAMOPOULOS, 25 Jul
- Pamela Robertson, Spouse of Doug ROBERTSON, 28 Jul
- Pauline O'Brien, Spouse of Frank O'BRIEN, 31 Jul
Wedding Anniversaries
- Malcolm & Heather FIELDEN, 25 Jul 2008 14 years
- Warwick & Jill CAVELL, 30 Jul 1977 45 years
Date Joined Rotary
- Keith FRAMPTON, 31 years, joined Rotary on 29 Jul 1991
