 Hospital opens anthrax and bird flu unit |
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By: weather.dude22_again
26/04/2008
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ROYAL Darwin Hospital has been given a state of the art containment laboratory to fight bio-threats such as anthrax and bird flu.
The $1.9 million federally funded level three physical containment lab opened its doors this week.
It will be part of the trauma unit, which was built after the first Bali Bombing and used to treat the victims of the second attack.
It was purpose built to deal with incidents of pathogens, such as anthrax, SARS and bird flu.
It has not been decided whether cases of bird flu or anthrax would be flown to Darwin from overseas for testing.
Solomon MHR Damian Hale said the Bali Bombings and the recent treatment of East Timor president Jose Ramos-Horta demonstrated RDH's expertise in dealing with trauma services in the AsiaPacific region.
"I think we're always readyand willing to aid people to our north,'' he said.
"I think that's the fantastic thing about the service this hospital provides. We're here to help in any way we can.''
Territory Health Minister Chris Burns said the lab would be the "frontline'' in the fight against bio-threats in the region.
"There has been a whole lot of incidents which have put this sort of hospital front and centre nationally and internationally,'' he said.
Dr Burns said cheap air travel in the region increased the Territory's risk of exposure to these risks.
"I think we always have to be vigilant with these sorts of threats because they emerge and have the potential to wreak a lot of havoc.''
Supervising scientist Paul Southwell said the hospital was always vigilant about the threats.
"One of our roles is the screen. When you have epidemics you need quick diagnosis so you can contain the threats,'' he said. |
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Hospital opens anthrax and bird flu unit |
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