Archive for June, 2009

During the June/July 2009 school holidays, the Desert Park (Larapinta Drive Alice Springs) will have school holiday activities every Tuesday to Friday until the end of the break.

Alice Springs Desert Park Guide Manager, Regena Medhurst, said visitors of all ages could explore the mystery and adventure of the desert at night with expert guides on the Nocturnal Tours, being held from 7pm each week night.
Visit the website for more information on what the Alice Springs Desert Park offers. For further details of the school holiday program, call the Alice Springs Desert Park on 8951 8788.

NT swine flu suspect dies after mercy dash

LARINE STATHAM

June 20th, 2009

AN Aboriginal man from WA being treated in Alice Springs Hospital has become the first person with swine flu to die in Australia.

The 26-year-old man died last night after being diagnosed with the virus on Thursday. Health authorities could not yet confirm whether the man died because of swine flu, as he had been suffering from a number of other serious health conditions.

The man had been transferred from Alice Springs Hospital to the Royal Adelaide Hospital intensive care unit on Monday. SA Health Minister John Hill said the RAH would continue to investigate the cause of death.

“What we do know is that this man was seriously ill from a number of conditions and the reason he was sent to Royal Adelaide because of those conditions,” he said.

“How the swine flu interacted with those conditions and what’s the ultimate cause of death is something we can’t really speculate about.”

SA Health’s chief medical officer Paddy Phillips said he did not, as of yet, have all the details surrounding the Aboriginal man’s death.

“Although the patient was diagnosed as positive for swine flu yesterday, his other medical conditions had dramatically deteriorated by the time he got to Adelaide,” Professor Phillips said.

Continued here

June 12th, 2009

THE World Health Organisation has declared the first flu pandemic of the 21st century urging countries to shore up defences against the virus which is “not stoppable” but has proved mainly mild so far.

The United Nations agency raised its pandemic flu alert to phase 6 on a six-point scale, indicating the first influenza pandemic since 1968 is under way.

Widespread transmission of the virus in Victoria was one of the key triggers for moving to phase 6.

Five people have been admitted to intensive care and more than 1000 cases confirmed following widespread testing in the state.

Acting on the recommendation of flu experts, the WHO reiterated its advice to its 193 member countries not to close borders or impose travel restrictions to halt the movement of people, goods and services.

“This is a very important and challenging day for all of us. It is important because we will be raising our pandemic alert level to level 6,” WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said.

“At this time, the global assessment is that we are seeing a moderate pandemic.”

The move to phase 6 reflects the fact that the disease, widely known as swine flu, was spreading geographically, but does not indicate how virulent it is.

More on this story at news.com.au

Latest news on swine flu in the Territory

Source

It is believed that 12 Territorians now have contracted the virus.

To celebrate the 21st birthday of Glenti, the Greek community invites you to dance the night away at the Esplanade on Friday night June 5 2009 from 8pm to midnight at at Bicentennial Park, overlooking  Darwin Harbour.

On Saturday, the fun begins at midday with bouzouki and dance music and continues to midnight with plenty of fun and entertainment. Other attractions thoughout the day and night include Mediterranean Dance Group, the Greek Band Meraki, Diego Live Show,OPA School of Hellenic Dance, Cypriot Dance Group, Sizmos Dance Group, Kalymnian Dance Group and plate spashing competition

At 6.30 PM, Chief Minister Paul Henderson and Greek Orthodox Community president John Nicolakis welcomes in Glenti 2009 then at 7.30, party until midnight with live music from Kaiti Koullia and Greek band Meraki.

On Sunday, be there from 11am for much the same as above, but with added attractions, including Zorbathon – Greek dancing competition, Olive spitting competition, and Greek costumes fashion parade.

At 6.45  NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Kalymnos Philippos Christodoulou and Darwin Lord Mayor Graeme Sawyer will give their speeches followed by a small fireworks display at 7.15 for the children, then from 8.30, dance, till midnight to the music of Kaiti Koullia and Greek Band Meraki. Another Fireworks display will be held at 10.45.

THE NORTHERN Territory’s Health Minister was last night in self-imposed quarantine, with suspected swine flu.

And a Territory school will be closed from today after a teacher tested positive for swine flu last night.

Minister Kon Vatskalis has met many leading members of the community since returning from Melbourne on Saturday, including Chief Minister Paul Henderson, six other Cabinet Ministers, rebel backbencher Marion Scrymgour, and CLP leader Terry Mills.

He has also dined with world leaders of the oil and gas industry, and met the Chinese Ambassador to Australia.

If Mr Vatskalis is found to have swine flu when his test results come back today, his contacts will be urged by health authorities to stay at home for a week.

This would leave Sports Minister Karl Hampton as Acting Chief Minister – he was away during Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

His Government would be made up of Speaker Jane Aagaard, and backbenchers Michael Gunner and Lynne Walker.

Swine flu continued its spread in the Territory yesterday.

All the latest news and advice on Swine Flu

Ross Park Primary School in Alice Springs will be shut down until Monday, June 8. A review will be held before the school is reopened.

The Ross Park Primary teacher is the second Territorian with a confirmed case of swine flu.

A Darwin woman is also in home isolation after she tested positive for swine flu last Saturday.

Chief Minister Paul Henderson asked employers to be understanding of the needs of workers with children at Ross Park Primary .

Mr Vatskalis last night said he had a runny nose, fever and aches.

Source

Update, Kon Vatskalishas’s test for swine flu came back negative according to 9 news just a few second ago.