Dengue fever outbreak hits Nauru sparking calls for restoration of health advisory panel
Dengue
fever has broken out in Nauru, affecting two asylum seekers and a site
worker at the offshore detention centre. Photo: Supplied
A
dengue fever outbreak has gripped one of Australia's offshore
processing centres in Nauru, raising serious questions about the welfare
of asylum seekers on the island.
dengue fever outbreak has gripped one of Australia's offshore
processing centres in Nauru, raising serious questions about the welfare
of asylum seekers on the island.
The
mosquito borne disease has affected two asylum seekers and one site
worker, the immigration department confirmed on Wednesday night.
mosquito borne disease has affected two asylum seekers and one site
worker, the immigration department confirmed on Wednesday night.
"All
three people have been isolated and are receiving appropriate treatment
and are expected to make a full recovery," a spokeswoman for
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said.
three people have been isolated and are receiving appropriate treatment
and are expected to make a full recovery," a spokeswoman for
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said.
No
pregnant women have been affected, and there is a "comprehensive
mosquito control program" on the island, the spokeswoman said.
pregnant women have been affected, and there is a "comprehensive
mosquito control program" on the island, the spokeswoman said.
But
the outbreak in the centre, which houses 1166 asylum seekers, has
caused the Greens to renew their call for the restoration of an
independent health advisory panel for offshore detention centres that
was axed in December.
the outbreak in the centre, which houses 1166 asylum seekers, has
caused the Greens to renew their call for the restoration of an
independent health advisory panel for offshore detention centres that
was axed in December.
“The Australian
Government is forcing children and babies to live in the midst of a
dengue fever outbreak,” Greens’ immigration spokeswoman Senator Sarah
Hanson-Young said.
Government is forcing children and babies to live in the midst of a
dengue fever outbreak,” Greens’ immigration spokeswoman Senator Sarah
Hanson-Young said.
“An independent panel of
experts to oversee the medical and psychological health of refugees in
these camps is an absolute necessity.
experts to oversee the medical and psychological health of refugees in
these camps is an absolute necessity.
“Children
should never have been locked up in these conditions and, with no
independent medical access, the risk to their physical and mental health
is extremely serious.''
should never have been locked up in these conditions and, with no
independent medical access, the risk to their physical and mental health
is extremely serious.''
Dr Louise Newman,
the former chair of the Independent Immigration Health Advisory Group,
said the latest outbreak was "gravely concerning" for women and children
on the island.
the former chair of the Independent Immigration Health Advisory Group,
said the latest outbreak was "gravely concerning" for women and children
on the island.
"This is not a suitable
environment for women and children to be transferred to Nauru, they
would rather die than face having to care for their child there," she
said.
environment for women and children to be transferred to Nauru, they
would rather die than face having to care for their child there," she
said.
Dr Newman said the government needed
independent expert advice to help the provider and the department to
manage the health of those in remote housing conditions.
independent expert advice to help the provider and the department to
manage the health of those in remote housing conditions.
Asylum seekers, including children, continue to be moved from Christmas Island to Nauru.
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