02 NEWS
THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2023 TORRES NEWS
Climate biggest Pacific threat The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has released the Pacific Security Outlook Report 2022 -2023, highlighting key regional security issues and trends. As Leaders reaffirmed when they launched the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and as this report highlights, climate change remains the region’s single greatest security threat. Gender based violence and natural disasters were other key priority focus areas, together with illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU), cybercrime and transnational organised crime. Regional security mechanisms that helped address issues was important, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Henry Puna.
“To achieve the Forum’s vision of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, it is important to have regional security mechanisms that help address traditional and non-traditional issues in the Pacific region,” he said. “We must not allow new issues to distract us from action to address the most pressing threats to the peace and security of Pacific peoples.” The report also said the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the Pacific’s health system vulnerabilities, which were long standing, and difficult to overcome, and highlighted the importance of a continued efforts to strengthen border and health security. Full Report https://www.forumsec. org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ Pacific-Security-OutlookReport-2022-2023.pdf
Your North Queensland airline connecting the islands of the Torres Strait with Cairns and Bamaga
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Be aware of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease The Torres Strait, Cape York and Northern Peninsula Areas have already had their first cases of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in 2023. Torres & Cape Hospital and Health Service Public Health Medical Officer Dr AllisonHempenstall said a state-wide action plan was in place to tackle acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease throughout Queensland. “We have already had our first case of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and our first case of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) so far this year within our health service region,” she said. “Last year, we had 26 cases of ARF and 62 cases of RHD. “While last year’s totals were fewer than the 36 cases of ARF and 77 cases of RHD we recorded in 2021, any cases of ARF and RHD in our region are always a matter of concern.” Dr Hempenstall said rheumatic heart disease was caused by the Streptococcus A bacteria group (strep). “The infection can be spread from person to person by large respiratory droplets, for example via sneezing, or direct contact with people infected by the bacteria, and can progress into rheumatic heart disease,” she said. “If untreated, rheumatic heart disease can lead to heart failure and complications like stroke and can greatly reduce the ability to lead a normal life.
“Parents need to look out for common infections that might otherwise be overlooked, such as a sore throat, sore joints, fever or skin sores because these can result in longterm heart damage. “Once we find someone with acute rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease, we have very effective treatments that stop it going on to cause long-term cardiac damage such as heart failure and strokes. “That’s why it is important to identify people with ARF so they can be treated and managed before the disease progresses into more severe stages or evolves into rheumatic heart disease. “Once diagnosed with ARF or RHD, patients require regular scans to ensure appropriate ongoing management and it’s important that they turn up to their scheduled appointments for these scans. “The scanning service is generally delivered via outreach from Cairns and checks may be every six months to threeyearly, depending on the stage and severity of their condition.’’ For more information about RHD, visit: https://www. health.qld.gov. au/public-health/ groups/atsihealth/ health-priorities/ rheumatic-heartdisease
Apology On the front page of Issue 66 the Torres News reported the late Brian Akee was a posthumous recipient of the Order of Australia Medal. Families would like to be certain our communities are aware Mr Akee was better known as Leo Brian Akee. The Torres News would like to apologise for any confusion.
