Toxic chemicals found in SA bore water

More than 2000 people living in Adelaide's south-west have been warned not to use bore water after tests revealed toxic chemicals.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said it had written to more than 2200 residents of suburban South Plympton and Edwardstown.

It said even though there were only 30 registered bores in the area, the EPA was taking the precaution to warn all residents.

The chemicals included fuels and industrial solvents which were widely used in the past to clean metal and as degreasers.

They were found at levels above Australian Drinking Water Guideline values.

The source was believed to be a former industrial site on South Road and was likely the result of historic waste disposal methods.

The EPA said it was conducting further testing to determine the full nature and extent of the contamination.

Chief executive Helen Fulcher said the authority was taking every step to protect the health of the community.

"Contamination investigations of this type are very complex and it may be some time before we know the full extent," she said.

"We will keep the community informed of the results."

Source http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/toxic-chemicals-found-in-sa-bore-water-20110223-1b57j.html

Bats – the carriers of some of world’s deadliest viruses

In a study that brings bats into the limelight for being carriers of some of the world’s deadliest viruses, a team of scientists at CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), in Geelong Victoria, are ascertaining ways by which bats can be stopped from spreading disease to other animals and humans.

Interestingly, according to the study lead Dr Linfa Wang, though bats are carriers of deadly diseases, they themselves do not suffer any ill-effects – thanks to their highly effective immune system that provides them with broad spectrum protection against viral attack.

Specifically, bats – which may appear as rather harmless mammals to most people - have been identified as the main source of viruses that are involved in ‘host-switching’ incidents, including Hendra, Ebola and SARS; but they have apparently developed the ability to tolerate infections with these pathogens which can otherwise be fatal when spread to other mammals.

Clearly, with bats having some type of ‘viral radar’ that prevents them from being infected themselves; the CSIRO is planning a comprehensive research program into bats so as to protect the health of people and livestock.

The program, outlined by Wang at the 1st International One Health Congress in Melbourne, will aim at better understanding bat immunology and also identifying specific strategies to control the viruses that bats spread to other animals and humans.

Source http://topnews.net.nz/reports/211922-bats-carriers-some-world-s-deadliest-viruses

Doctor 'didn't disclose ban to hospital'

A NSW doctor whose severe depression led to "clinical catastrophe" breached a ban by carrying out obstetric procedures, a judge has been told.

When the now former doctor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, successfully applied for a job at a NSW country hospital he did not disclose the ban.

In the NSW District Court today, he pleaded guilty to obtaining a financial advantage by deception.

According to an agreed statement of facts, he was found guilty in 1997 of unsatisfactory professional conduct after complaints by nine former patients.

A NSW Medical Board committee then banned him from practising clinical obstetrics and imposed conditions on him practising gynaecology.

The board concluded that for the benefit of him, his family and his patients, "he should not be exposed to the hazards and stressors involved in the remorselessly inevitable occurrence of complicated obstetric practice".

But years later he obtained a job at a country hospital, saying he had a major depressive illness and conditions had been placed on his medical registration, but failing to reveal the ban.

One of his referees for the job said the doctor "was very well liked but had suffered severe depression and this had led to clinical catastrophe".

Another said the last he had heard of the doctor was that he was not meant to do obstetrics.

"In his new position the offender engaged in the treatment of patients that fell within the field of obstetrics and gynaecology," the facts said.

The doctor told the board of his new job but said he would not be doing obstetrics.

But during his appointment, he did such work including treating 36 pregnant patients and assisting in some caesarean sections.

During his employment his total remuneration was more than $229,000.

When the NSW Medical Board later sought clarification of his job, he stated, "I have no intention of practising obstetrics again", but added that he was fully aware of his responsibilities as a doctor in emergency situations.

On the evening of the day he wrote the letter, he went on to perform a caesarian section, the facts said.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

Source http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/doctor-didnt-disclose-ban-to-hospital/story-e6frfku0-1226002295363