Media Releases

Media contact: Maria Said, President, Anaphylaxis Australia Inc.
Ph: 0409 609 831; email: mg.said@bigpond.net.au

Awareness, Avoidance and Action = Knowledge for Life
Food Allergy Awareness Week (May 11-17, 2008)

10/04/2008

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This Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW), Anaphylaxis Australia calls on all Australians to be Aware about the serious nature of severe allergies, help sufferers Avoid dangerous situations and importantly, urge authorities to take Action to address this growing public health issue.

One in 5 Australians suffer from at least one allergic condition, ranking Australia, together with New Zealand, as having the highest prevalence of allergic disorders in the developed world.¹

Maria Said, President of Anaphylaxis Australia, said that the increase in allergic disease (and food allergy in particular) is showing no sign of slowing and food allergy accounts for most of this rise². “The growth in food allergy is of real concern, particularly the increase in peanut and tree nut allergies,” she said.

Peanuts are the leading (but not the only) cause of serious allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis³. Peanut allergy alone has doubled over a five year period⁴ and it is the most common cause of severe food related anaphylaxis and death in children.⁵

“ Australians have come a long way in their Awareness and understanding of severe allergies and anaphylaxis, but we can’t afford to be complacent. About 10 Australians die each year and thousands of others require emergency treatment as a result of anaphylactic reactions, which are largely preventable.

“ People often say ‘I don’t have a food allergy so it doesn’t affect me’, however with around 85 percent of deaths as a result of anaphylaxis occurring outside of the home⁶, what we do each day can affect someone else who does have serious allergies,“ said Ms Said.

Adhering to food Avoidance strategies such as particular food minimisation policies, washing hands after eating, not sharing food and taking care not to cross contaminate during food preparation or food service can help those with food allergies avoid being exposed to potentially lethal triggers accidently.

Sufferers need to ensure they carry their EpiPen auto injector, which contains life saving adrenaline, and their Anaphylaxis Action Plan with them at all times. It is also crucial that their family, friends, carers or work colleagues know where it is and know how to use it.

“ Governments need to take Action now and recognise severe allergy as the public health issue it has become, and importantly, take into consideration the escalating prevalence and impact this will have on the future of this country,” said Ms Said.

“ We need nationwide mandatory legislation to create safer school and childcare environments; a register of anaphylaxis deaths; expansion and permanent funding of dedicated anaphylaxis educator programs; as well as funding for community based patient support organisations,” she added.

Current predictions indicate that in just over 40 years the number or people with allergies will nearly double to 7.7 million⁷.

“ Today most Australians already have to wait up to five months to see an allergy specialist - longer in some cases. We must act now and lay the groundwork to ensure access to expert allergy services now and into the future.

“ There is a desperate need for funding to educate more specialists in this field, conduct research into the recent epidemic and develop prevention strategies”.

“ By putting these programs in place and continuing the education process, we can reduce the number of preventable deaths from anaphylaxis every year,” said Ms Said.

For more information on Allergies and Anaphylaxis visit Anaphylaxis Australia at www.allergyfacts.org.au and the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) at www.allergy.org.au.

For further information or to arrange an interview with Maria Said, President of Anaphylaxis Australia please contact:

Jodie Wrigley
Growing Daily Communications
Tel: (02) 9969 5511

References

1 Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy ASCIA – Economic Impact of Allergies 13 Nov 2007.
2 JACI - Leanne M. Poulos, BMedSc (Hons), Anne-Marie Waters, Grad Dip Pop Hlth, Patricia K. Correll, MPH, Robert H. Loblay, PhD, and Guy B. Marks, PhD. Trends in hospitalizations for anaphylaxis, angioedema, and urticaria in Australia, 1993-1994 to 2004-2005.
3 RCH. IL de Silva , SS Mehr, D Tey , MLK Tang. Pediatric anaphylaxis: a 5-year retrospective review. Allergy 2008 (In Press).
4 American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, 2003.
5 JACI - Leanne M. Poulos, BMedSc (Hons), Anne-Marie Waters, Grad Dip Pop Hlth, Patricia K. Correll, MPH, Robert H. Loblay, PhD, and Guy B. Marks, PhD. Trends in hospitalizations for anaphylaxis, angioedema, and urticaria in Australia, 1993-1994 to 2004-2005.
6 S. Allan Bock, MS, Anne Munoz-Furlong, BA and Hugh A. Sampson, MD J Allergy Clin Immunol
2001;107:191-3.
7 ASCIA – Economic Impact of Allergies 13 Nov 2007.

Public Allergy Clinic for QLD - Eager patients visit QLD’s First Public Paediatric Allergy Clinic

10/03/2008

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"A huge step forward in light of QLD allergy crisis"

Following several years of campaigning Anaphylaxis Australia Inc (AAI) commends the Queensland Government on the opening of the Queensland Paediatric Allergy and Immunology service at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane on March 3rd, 2008. Minister of Health, Stephen Robertson MP announced the opening of the clinic in 2007 stating, “ the need for such a service has been impressed upon me and I have taken steps to progressively address the [allergy] situation.”

Maria Said, president of Anaphylaxis Australia Inc says, “The launch of the clinic is acknowledgement of the fact that severe allergy and the risk of anaphylaxis is a public health issue which needs to be better managed in the state of QLD. A multi pronged approach to care and continued education of a wide number of health professionals is critical. The clinic will have the ability to train and upskill doctors and other health professionals including a nurse and dietician with a focus on allergy. The team of experts will review children who have been referred by general practitioners.”

Said applauded the Bligh Government and stressed that; “The new allergy clinic is a platform from which allergy services need to grow in Queensland”. A long-term effort by many will eventually see the current 18-month waiting lists to see an allergy specialist in QLD decrease. AAI congratulates Doctor Jane Peake, one of only two paediatric allergy specialists in QLD, who has taken on the position of Head of Department of Allergy at the RCH, Brisbane.

All Australian children who have severe allergy and may be at risk of anaphylaxis deserve to have prompt access to trained professionals who can diagnose and then educate parents on the myriad of ‘do-able’ strategies which need to be implemented to reduce the risk of allergic reactions and therefore improve quality of life. Staff at the clinic will have the capacity and expertise to care for the physical, social and psychological well being of children and teens at risk of anaphylaxis who live daily life with a potentially life threatening condition.

An estimated 6 percent of pre-school aged children are allergic to one or more of the common food allergens and numbers are on the rise. Australian research has shown evidence of an increased incidence of anaphylaxis, with a doubling in admissions to Australian hospitals with this diagnosis over the last 12 years. The study also revealed an even more dramatic 5-fold increase in anaphylaxis Emergency Department admissions of those aged 0-4years (Mullins, 2007).

Maria Said reiterated that even though deaths are rare, food induced anaphylaxis is not uncommon. “The incidence of children at risk of anaphylaxis is increasing and the government must support the professionals who diagnose, manage, teach and care for them on a daily basis,” she said. Access to experts in the field of allergy, accurate information and ongoing support and management is critical for those who live with the risk of anaphylaxis.

AAI acknowledges the ongoing efforts of ASCIA and the AMA who continue to keep allergy management issues in Queensland at the forefront of communications.

Reference: Mullins RJ (2007) “Paediatric food allergy trends in a community-based specialist allergy practice, 1995-2006” Med J Aust 186(12):618-21.

Back to School Message from Anaphylaxis Australia

With an estimated 1 in 20 children suffering from food allergy, this year Anaphylaxis Australia is urging all parents to add Allergy Awareness to their ‘back to school’ checklist. Please select a link below to read this media release.

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Victorian Legislation - a must for those at risk of anaphylaxis and their caregivers

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Following AAI’s legislation campaign last year, the Victorian Government announced on 29 October that legislation would be introduced to mandate ‘Minimum Safety Standards for Schools and Children’s Services to Protect Children at Risk of Anaphylactic Shock’.

AAI applauds Premier Brumby and his Government, this is an Australian first and we sincerely trust that it sets a benchmark for all other State and Territory leaders to follow suit. All Australian children diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis deserve to have trained caregivers who understand the need to implement several strategies to reduce the risk of allergic reactions and know what to do if an individual has an accidental reaction whilst in a childcare or school facility.

All children’s services and schools in Victoria with a student enrolled at risk will be required by law to have an anaphylaxis management policy in place by 14th July 2008. The legislation will also require schools, kindergartens and childcare centres to have comprehensive individual management plans for students or children at risk of anaphylaxis. The law will also require specialist training for all staff in early childhood services and a majority of staff in schools that have a student enrolled diagnosed with potential anaphylaxis.

An estimated 3-5 percent of pre-school aged children are allergic to one or more of the common food allergens and numbers are on the rise. A recent Australian study reported a “dramatic increase” in hospital admissions for anaphylaxis, particularly in young infants. Statistics from the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne reveal that admissions for anaphylaxis have tripled from 23 in 2001 to 71 in 2006.
Maria Said, President of Anaphylaxis Australia said that even though deaths are rare, food induced anaphylaxis is not uncommon. “The incidence of children with anaphylaxis is increasing and government policy concerning the health and safety of children in all Australian schools and early childhood services needs to be updated to ensure minimum standards are in place to protect the well-being of our children.”

“This Victorian legislation will not only protect the increasing number of children diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis, but it will support the professionals who teach and care for our children on a daily basis,” she said.

AAI would like to commend the dedication of Martha and Nigel Baptist in raising community awareness of anaphylaxis and lobbying for this legislation following the heartbreaking loss of their little 4-year-old boy, Alex.

We also acknowledge the efforts of the late John Ilhan in advocating for this legislation and the ongoing work of the Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation. Thank you also to all the other organisations that have supported the legislation including the AMA and ASCIA.

AAI sincerely believes that Victorian legislation is another positive step in the right direction for the allergy community who look forward to a national, coordinated approach to allergy and anaphylaxis management.

For more information on allergies and anaphylaxis visit Anaphylaxis Australia at www.allergyfacts.org.au or the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy at www.allergy.org.au

Find out more about discussions on anaphylaxis legislation in Victoria's Hansard

New laws to protect children from deathly allergies

From the Office of the Premier (Victoria) 29-10-2007

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New laws to protect children who suffer life threatening allergies will make children safer, ease the anxiety of parents, reduce hospital admissions and lead to greater community understanding of anaphylaxis, the Premier, John Brumby, said today.

In an Australian first, the Victorian Government will introduce laws into Parliament this week to mandate minimum safety standards for schools and children services to protect children at risk of anaphylactic shock – a sudden, severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction.

“Australia has one of the highest rates of children who suffer severe allergies – and the affliction is becoming more prevalent,” Mr Brumby said.

“Royal Children’s Hospital admissions for anaphylaxis tripled from 23 in 2001 to 71 in 2006.

“While we don’t know the why anaphylaxis is on the increase we can protect children at risk through better training and planning in our schools and children services.

“New laws introduced this week will make Victoria the first Australian State to require all children services and schools with a student enrolled at risk to have an anaphylaxis management policy in place by July next year.

“The management policy will mandate minimum specialist first aid training for teachers and staff.

“It will also require schools, kindergartens and child care centres to store medication properly, have a plan about how to alert parents about an incident and have comprehensive individual management plans for students or children at risk.

“Schools and children services who do not comply with the legislation will face fines of up to $30,000.”

Mr Brumby said what distinguished this disorder from other childhood illnesses, such as epilepsy, asthma or diabetes, was anaphylaxis was a sudden, severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction if not treated urgently.

“A simple adrenalin injection if administered quickly and effectively can save a child’s life.”

Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government would continue to work with schools and children services to ensure they complied with the new laws.

“The laws will require specialist training for all staff in early childhood services and a majority of staff in schools that have a student enrolled who has anaphylaxis,” Mr Brumby said

“Training includes recognition of the signs and symptoms of allergic reactions and emergency treatment and practice with an EpiPen trainer, which gives an adrenal injection.

“Last year, the Victorian Government announced an additional $2.1 million over five years to fund state-wide training for 70,000 teachers and children services workers, in addition to $400,000 already committed.

“To date, more than 11,700 government school teachers and staff and 4,800 children services workers have been trained. By July, we will have trained a total 22,000 workers – so we are well on track to reach our training target.”

Ms Morand said it was important children services workers and school teachers had the necessary skills to administer life-saving treatments.

“About 4000 Victorian children in child care, kindergarten or at school have suffered at least one anaphylactic attack,” Ms Morand said.

“A 2006 survey of all licensed children’s services found 1,675 of children enrolled were at risk, while about 35 per cent of schools currently have a student enrolled who is at risk.

“The training will reassure every parent who has a child at risk of anaphylactic shock that staff at their child’s childcare centre, kindergarten or school will have the skills to handle any emergency.”

Education Minister Bronwyn Pike, who is also the local Member for Melbourne, said more than 7,000 food allergy resource kits had been distributed to schools and children services across the State, including posters, practical information on prevention and response to allergic reactions.

The Brumby Government is working hard to make children safer at school,” she said.

Mr Brumby thanked Anaphylaxis Australia and the Australian Society of Clinical Immunologists and Allergists for their advocacy on behalf of children and families living with the risk of anaphylactic shock.

“I also want to acknowledge the efforts of Martha and Nigel Baptist, who were keen proponents of compulsory anaphylactic training following the tragic death of their son, Alex,” he said.

Mr Brumby also announced the State Government would provide $40,000 to support the Ilhan Foundation’s Scientific Conference in November to be attended by leading allergy researchers from around Australia and overseas.

“I want to acknowledge the late John Ilhan’s important role in raising community awareness of anaphylaxis through the Ilahn Food Allergy Foundation.

“Victoria lost a great businessman and community leader when we lost John Ilhan last week. These laws, part of a strategy which John championed, will help save lives.”

Allergies hit with $6.6million action plan

Statement Released: 2-Oct-2007
Portfolio: Premier

The State Government has committed $6.6million to a new plan to help the growing number of Western Australian children who suffer from potentially fatal allergic reactions.

Premier Alan Carpenter said the plan included a training program for teachers and childcare workers to instruct them how to handle an allergy emergency.

The plan followed a review into the management of anaphylaxis in schools and childcare centres carried out by the Anaphylaxis Expert Working Committee, which comprised a team of doctors, education staff, dieticians, community groups and other experts.

The Premier said the State Government would act upon all eight recommendations from the review.

“Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be triggered by exposure to certain foods such as peanuts, fish, shellfish, milk, eggs, wheat and soy,” he said.

“The potentially life threatening symptoms include breathing difficulties, swelling of the tongue and throat and loss of consciousness.

“The training program will provide reassurance for parents of children with severe allergies that carers have the necessary skills to deal with an emergency.

“With severe allergies affecting two per cent of Western Australian children, most schools and childcare centres will be called on to manage at least one child who is at risk of anaphylaxis.

“The training program will be developed over the next 12 months and implemented across the State over the following three years.”

The plan also includes:

• the establishment of a Western Australian Anaphylaxis Service with specialist units set up at Princess Margaret Hospital, Joondalup and Fremantle;
• changes to legislation to allow teachers and childcare workers to give adrenaline in all emergency situations related to allergy reactions;
• specialist allergy training for an extra four to six GPs a year;
• establishing a specialist telephone advice line for GPs; and
• a community awareness campaign.

“In an emergency, people suffering from an anaphylactic reaction need to be treated with an adrenaline shot,” Mr Carpenter said.

“At the moment teachers and childcare workers can only give adrenaline to a child who has been diagnosed with a severe allergy, when parents have given consent and staff have been trained to give it.

“Because anaphylaxis can occasionally occur in a child who has not been diagnosed with an allergy, changes to the legislation will allow a teacher or childcare worker to give adrenaline in an emergency situation.

“New legislation will also allow adrenaline EpiPens to be added to first-aid boxes at all schools and childcare centres.

“The proposed new laws will be introduced to Parliament next year.”

The Premier said the Western Australian Anaphylaxis Service would be developed over the next 12 months and would reduce the waiting time for a child to see an allergy specialist from nine months to just four weeks.

He said the community awareness campaign, which would initially target teachers, childcare workers and parents, would involve press and radio advertising, mail-outs and posters for schools and childcare centres.

The plan had been developed by the Department of Health, Department for Communities (formerly Department for Community Development) and the Department of Education and Training.

“It was vital that this plan included the input of all stakeholders and I congratulate everyone involved, particularly the Anaphylaxis Expert Working Committee headed by Clinical Associate Professor Richard Loh,” Mr Carpenter said.

“No child in WA has died from anaphylaxis and I sincerely hope that this plan goes a long way towards ensuring it stays that way.”

The report ‘Anaphylaxis: Meeting the challenge for Western Australian Children’, including the full list of recommendations, will be available from http://www.health.wa.gov.au/publications/subject_index/c/child_health.cfm

Anaphylaxis Australia urges WA Government to Act on Anaphylaxis Guidelines

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Wednesday 1st August 2007

Anaphylaxis Australia Inc (AAI) is urging the West Australian government to act on the recommendations of the WA Anaphylaxis Expert Working Committee to implement minimum safety standards to prevent the death of children from anaphylaxis.

Presented to the Health Minister in November 2006, Anaphylaxis Australia is advocating for these strategies to be adopted nationally, to prevent food induced anaphylaxis deaths in schools and early childhood services. Even though the Health Department in West Australia initiated the formation of an expert working committee to put together recommendations, it has been over eight months since the report went to the minister and AAI has received no response. Already, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria have promised improved safety.

Maria Said, President of Anaphylaxis Australia said that even though deaths are rare, food induced anaphylaxis is not uncommon. “The incidence of children with anaphylaxis is increasing and government policy concerning the health and safety of children in West Australian schools and early childhood services needs to be updated to ensure minimum standards are in place to protect the wellbeing of our children.”

“There needs to be a coordinated response to allergy management in the community. Access to medical services must be improved and all health professionals, including GP’s, dietitians and nurses need to be better informed so that they understand safe management of those at risk of anaphylaxis. The best way to protect children is to ensure they are promptly and properly diagnosed, and that staff at their school or childcare service receive annual training on preventing an anaphylactic reaction, recognising symptoms of a reaction and, importantly, how to administer the lifesaving EpiPen adrenaline auto-injector,” reiterated Ms Said.

An estimated 3-5 percent of pre-school aged children are allergic to one or more of the common food allergens and the number is on the rise. American and UK studies have shown a 2-3 fold increase in peanut allergy in young children and a more recent Australian study reported a “dramatic increase” in hospital admissions for anaphylaxis, particularly in young infants .

“Deaths from anaphylaxis in schools and early childhood services should never happen. With proper management and training of all staff, death is preventable,” said Ms Said. “The West Australian government needs to act now to ensure the state doesn’t fall behind in its care and management of allergy and anaphylaxis.”

Lifesaving allergy information launched today

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Monday 7 May 2007

The Honourable Brett Mason, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, today launched allergen information cards that will help protect those 1- 2% of all Australians and particularly the 3-5% of children who have food allergies.

Speaking at the beginning of Allergy Awareness Week, Senator Mason, congratulated Anaphylaxis Australia for developing the cards.

‘There are already strict food standards in place that ensure that foods that can cause severe allergic reactions, such as peanuts, tree nuts (e.g. cashews, almonds, walnuts), shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, sesame, wheat and soybeans and their products, must be declared on the label however small the amount.

‘However consumer research, and the experience of Anaphylaxis Australia, has found that some consumers are not always aware that some ingredients may be allergens, for example that casein or whey are derived from dairy products or that gluten is derived from wheat.

‘These simple allergen cards have been developed by the not-for-profit group Anaphylaxis Australia with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The cards list common ingredients derived from each of the major allergens and also have essential advice for people who are food allergic about eating out and always carrying an Epipen. They are small enough to fold into a wallet and take shopping.

‘Anaphylaxis Australia is also doing some excellent work with the food industry to make allergen labelling clearer, for example by highlighting allergens in the ingredient list and making ‘may contain’ labelling more useful by more accurate descriptions such as ‘made on the same production line as products with nuts’.

‘FSANZ consumer research shows that people have better knowledge about food allergens and how to manage them if they are a member of a group like Anaphylaxis Australia. If you, or a family member, have a food allergy I strongly urge you to join an organisation such as Anaphylaxis Australia,’ Senator Mason concluded.

The allergen cards for egg, soy, wheat, peanuts, sesame, tree nuts, fish, shellfish and milk were developed by Anaphylaxis Australia with funding from Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the NSW Food Authority. They can be ordered from Anaphylaxis Australia at coordinator@allergyfacts.org.au or by emailing Food Standards Australia New Zealand at info@foodstandards.gov.au. Electronic versions are available at www.allergyfacts.org.au and www.foodstandards.gov.au.

COAG must make combating sever allergies a national priority

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AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, has written to the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers urging the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to ensure all teachers and childcare workers are trained in recognising and handling anaphylactic reactions.

Dr Haikerwal said that COAG also should ensure the provision of legal immunity to people who give first aid to children with severe allergic reactions.

“Greater awareness and management of anaphylaxis should be a national priority,” he said.

“Severe allergic reactions can be fatal, as has been tragically demonstrated most recently by the death last month of a Melbourne schoolboy, believed to be from exposure to peanuts.

“But children with this life-threatening condition can be kept safe if the people around them know what to do when an anaphylactic reaction occurs.”

The Victorian Government recently introduced an anaphylaxis kit and legislated to ensure teachers and child carers are trained in handling severe allergic reactions – a move Dr Haikerwal said should be implemented nationally.

“Victorian Premier Steve Bracks has done the right thing – now COAG has the opportunity to implement a quick, easy, inexpensive national policy that will save lives,” Dr Haikerwal said.

Automatic adrenaline injection devices – known as Epipens – are available on the PBS.

“These are significant medications that give children and parents the confidence to lead a more normal life,” said Dr Haikerwal, who has a child with severe allergies.

“All school employees should receive training in how to deal with anaphylactic reactions, including the administration of Epipens, and they should be legally protected when they use these devices in an emergency.”

National guidelines should include:

• Mandatory training for all staff in schools, preschools, and child care facilities
• Treatment plans for all children who have a medical condition predisposing them to a medical emergency
• Pre-authorisation of school staff to administer medication if necessary
• Protection for employees who administer medication in the belief it is a medical emergency

The need for information on Severe Allergy Management reaches crisis point in Queensland

Is the government hearing the plea of parents, teachers, childcare workers and health professionals throughout the state?

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The lack of access to accurate and helpful information, education and training in QLD remains clearly apparent. Anaphylaxis Australia Inc (AAI), the only national support organisation for those at risk of severe allergic reactions, have organised a seminar at the The Wesley Hospital on Sat 4th Nov, which has been booked out for more than two weeks. As the waiting list of those pleading for much needed critical information continues to grow so does the wait for a government announcement required to help ease the crisis in Queensland.

Eight foods including peanuts, tree nuts, egg, milk, soy, fish, shellfish and sesame seeds account for 90% of food anaphylactic reactions in Australia. Insect sting, medication and latex are included in the list of other causes of severe allergic shock. Numbers of children diagnosed with severe allergy in school and childcare facilities have increased dramatically in the last 10-year period. We need to have a structured system in place to help reduce risk.

Despite years of lobbying QLD still does not have a single public paediatric allergy clinic or skilled, dedicated anaphylaxis educators visiting schools and childcare facilities. Whilst Premier Bracks has promised legislation surrounding education and training of teachers and childcare workers in Victoria, and NSW has Anaphylaxis Educators training staff in schools and childcare facilities, children in QLD still have to wait up to 18months for private consultations with the two existing paediatric allergists.

Maria Said, President of AAI stated, “There has been no communication with AAI regarding the establishment of a much needed paediatric public allergy clinic. Parents and first aid providers continue to educate school staff in an ad hoc manner sharing whatever information they have. This information can be inaccurate and is sometimes even incorrect therefore leaving teachers and childcare staff with little support and children at greater risk. School and childcare staff must be properly educated in daily management of those at risk of anaphylaxis and emergency treatment which includes administration of the EpiPen® - an auto injector containing a single pre measured dose of adrenaline.”

Anaphylaxis and its management across the nation was discussed in Federal Parliament on 30th October 2006. The Federal Parliament discussion supported a national policy for children's services and schools, which includes anaphylaxis education on recognition, management and emergency treatment. Whilst the discussion is to continue in parliament what is clear to AAI is that QLD government has communicated very little about its plan to educate the school and childcare community on anaphylaxis and its management.

Up to 10 Australians die each year from anaphylaxis and thousands more require urgent medical attention including prompt administration of adrenaline. Strict avoidance of the food trigger is the only way of preventing a food allergic reaction.

Maria Said concluded saying, “It is crucial that parents have prompt access to a public allergy clinic and experts in the field of allergy for proper diagnosis and education.”

Children spend half their waking hours in the care of others. School and childcare communities do play an important role in helping keep children and young people with allergies safe. AAI pleads with the QLD government to take the issue of safety of children with severe allergy and their carers seriously and make access to expert help through paediatric allergy clinics a priority.

Both QLD Health and Department of Education have declined an invitation to present at the seminar in an effort to inform the community what progress has been made on this issue.

Information for schools and parents is available from Anaphylaxis Australia www.allergyfacts.org.au, as well as organisations such as Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) at www.allergy.org.au

A safer future for children with severe allergies – New legislation for teachers and childcare workers

More than four years after the death of Hamidur Rahman whilst on school camp in NSW and two years after the death of 4 year old Alex Baptist, Anaphylaxis Australia Inc (AAI), the only national support body for those who have severe allergy has succeeded in its Victorian legislation campaign to ensure teachers and childcare workers are trained in the recognition, daily management and emergency treatment of children at risk of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. AAI applauds Premier Bracks who has promised legislation surrounding the education of teachers and childcare workers and funding to support this initiative over a four-year period.

This legislation in Victoria will mean that there are minimum standards of care for children at risk of anaphylaxis from preschool right through secondary school in both the private and public sectors. “This is a huge step forward and we eagerly await the implementation of legislation so that there is increased safety for children at risk, their teachers and childcare staff,” stated Maria Said, President of Anaphylaxis Australia Inc

Up to 10 Australians die each year from anaphylaxis and thousands more require urgent medical attention including prompt administration of adrenaline. Strict avoidance of the food trigger is the only way of preventing a food allergic reaction.

“Whilst many strategies can be implemented to reduce the risks, individuals with severe allergy and their carers know that risk cannot be totally removed and that education is crucial. Regular education and training of all teachers and childcare workers is a must,” reiterated Said.

The promise made by the Victorian Bracks government has been made for good reason. Anaphylaxis Australia membership has been lobbying government for many years. Factors that have assisted AAI in their plea for legislation include:

• The coronial inquest into the death of Hamidur Rahman (whilst at school camp in NSW) in 2003
• The pending inquest in Feb 2007 into the death of 4 year old Alex Baptist who died in a Victorian childcare facility in September 2004
• Documented school and childcare emergencies
• A growing numbers of allergies to common foods such as peanut, milk, egg, sesame and shellfish.

Said confirms that, “NSW departments of Health, Education and Training and Community Services have to date refused to acknowledge the need for legislation despite it being recommended by NSW State Coroner Milledge in September 2005.

Maria Said concluded saying, “Children spend half their waking hours in the care of others. School and childcare communities do play an important role in helping keep children and young people with allergies safe. We look forward to the implementation of legislation in Victoria as a matter of priority and urge other states and territories around Australia to take the issue of safety of children with severe allergy and their carers seriously”.

Mandatory training on anaphylaxis management in Victoria will bring some comfort to parents who are rightly anxious about their children’s safety when away from home. Death from anaphylaxis is preventable if people are correctly diagnosed, educated and cared for by those who can help minimise the risk of a reaction. It is important know how and when to administer an EpiPen® (an auto injector containing a single pre measured dose of adrenaline) according to the individual’s Anaphylaxis Action Plan in an emergency before rapid transport to hospital via ambulance.

Information for schools and parents is available from Anaphylaxis Australia www.allergyfacts.org.au, as well as organisations such as Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) at www.allergy.org.au

NSW Coroner Calls for Increased Allergy Safety

PDF format media release

More than three years after the death of Hamidur Rahman, Anaphylaxis Australia Inc, the only national support body for those who have severe allergy has succeeded in its first steps to generate ongoing community awareness and increase education about the seriousness of life threatening allergies in children and young people. Hamidur died from peanut anaphylaxis whilst on a school camp in March 2002.
Representatives from the NSW State Coroners Office, Anaphylaxis Australia and the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy and Hamidur’s family were on hand to advocate for greater awareness and action given the serious issues facing children and young people with anaphylaxis.
Dr John Ruhno, Chairman of Anaphylaxis Australia’s Medical Advisory Board stated,” Hamidur Rahman’s death was preventable. We can help prevent similar tragedies from happening by educating all in the community about the seriousness of this issue”. He reiterated the need for our many community partners to enforce new standards including:

• Mandatory legislation on creation of safe school and childcare environments and compulsory education of all school staff on recognition and emergency treatment of severe allergy. Active implementation of existing Department of Health and Department of Education and Training Guidelines for the Management of Anaphylaxis in Schools and production and implementation of similar guidelines for childcare facilities.
  
• Register of anaphylaxis deaths from all causes similar to the UK based registry which has been operating since 1992
  
• Expansion and permanent funding of the current nurse educator program to continue crucial education on severe allergy management and EpiPen® administration in all NSW school and childcare environments.
  
• Funding for existing and desperately needed community based patient support organisation.

Maria Said, National President of Anaphylaxis Australia echoed Dr Ruhno’s comments: “Children spend half their waking hours in the care of others. School and childcare communities do play an important role in helping keep children and young people with allergies safe. We hope that the recommended legislation of the NSW Coroner is passed through NSW government as a matter of priority”.

The lawyer representing Anaphylaxis Australia, Mr Michael Vassili stated, “ Mandatory training on anaphylaxis management will bring some comfort to parents who are rightly anxious about their children’s safety when away from home. Death from anaphylaxis is preventable if people are correctly diagnosed, educated and cared for by those who can help minimise the risk of reactions and then know how to administer an EpiPen® (auto injector containing adrenaline) in an emergency before rapid transport to hospital via ambulance”.

Media contacts:
• Mr Michael Vassili, Lawyer representing Anaphylaxis Australia Inc
Ph 0404 872 229

Inquest into the death of Hamidur Rahman

 Word format media release

Coroner's findings and recommendations

 Word format media release

Hamidur’s tragic, preventable death

PDF format media release

Food Allergy Awareness Week 2005

 Word format media release

When Food Can Be Fatal

Click here to read the transcripts from the recent two part story on the Sunday Show on Channel 9 about severe food allergies, "When Food Can Be Fatal".