The fatal allergy

CURRENTLY, around 12,000 Tasmanians and an estimated 60,000 Australians are known to suffer a serious allergy to Jack Jumper Ant stings.

Of these, around 4000 Tasmanians are highly allergic, having experienced the condition known as anaphylaxis which puts them at a significant risk of death.

An internationally renowned clinical trial conducted at the Royal Hobart Hospital, has developed the only known effective vaccine that can prevent life-threatening reactions in these people.

Research funding that has provided this treatment to 60 trial participants for the last four years runs out in December 2005.

If the programme is discontinued, access to this life-altering treatment will be denied and preventable deaths may occur.

The cost to maintain and extend the treatment to other Tasmanians who are at the greatest risk amounts to around $200,000 per year.

A new lobby and support group, antallergy.org has launched an online petition to assist those whose lives are in danger through jack jumper stings. Sponsored by Sue Napier, MHA, the petition has already received a tremendous response from the Tasmanian community.

Launched on 22 July, over 700 hundred people have already signed the e-petition, which calls on the Tasmanian government to immediately allocate the funding necessary to provide life saving treatment to those Tasmanians at the greatest risk of death.

The petition further calls on the Tasmanian government to actively pursue collaborative arrangements with other State and Commonwealth Governments, to make this treatment available throughout Australia.

For further information please refer to our website at www.antallergy.org.

Your support and signature will make an immeasurable difference to the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Maria Fletcher
Yarlington, Tasmania