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According to enrollments in schools for the deaf and data from the national census and neonatal hearing screening programs, the incidence of severe and profound childhood deafness in Australia is, and has been, less than commonly assumed. Factors implicated include improved medical care, mainstreaming, cochlear implants, and genetic science. Data for the United States, Britain, and other developed countries seem consistent with those for Australia. Declining prevalence and incidence rates have immediate implications for sign-based education, teacher-of-the-deaf training programs, and educational interpreting. There are also serious consequences for research, documentation, and teaching regarding Australian Sign Language (Auslan), and for the future viability of Auslan. Prompt action is essential if a credible corpus of Auslan is to be collected as the basis for a valid and verifiable description of one of the few native sign languages in the world with significant attested historical depth. (Contains 7 tables, 3 figures and 3 notes.)

Responding to Johnston's projections for the future of Australian Sign Language (Auslan), I analyzed school enrollments in American educational programs and found similar trends. There are fewer deaf and hard of hearing children in school now than twenty years ago, with the largest decline, approximately 50 percent, among children with profound hearing losses. Consistent with the Australian data, although to a smaller degree, increasing numbers of children are educated through oral-only means, have cochlear implants, and are placed in integrated settings. Despite these trends, Johnston's concerns for Auslan do not appear to apply to ASL, primarily because the American population, and, by extension, the American Deaf population, is fifteen times greater than that of Australia. Even with reductions in numbers a critical mass will remain. Secondly, the American Deaf community is heavily involved in education, more so than in any other country. The future of ASL and the American Deaf community is strong.

Many cavity nesters add volatile plants with medicinal properties to their nests. In Australia, eucalyptus and tea-trees are highly volatile plants, which have antiparasitic and antimicrobial properties. Here, we tested whether scents of eucalypt (Eucalyptus polybractea) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oils can attract birds to newly installed nest boxes. Twenty-four nest boxes received three scent treatments (eucalypt, tea tree, control) for 10 days each using a Latin-square design. Bird visitation was recorded using camera traps. Eastern Rosellas (Platycercus eximius) visited the nest boxes the most (1,454 visits) and were therefore the focus of the study. Eastern Rosellas did not change their behaviours in response to the eucalypt scent in nest boxes: there was no difference in visitation, duration of visits or nest box inspection behaviour between nest boxes with eucalypt scent and those with the control scent. However, Eastern Rosellas visited nest boxes with tea tree scent less frequently and spent less time at these boxes than those with the control scent. The mean time that Eastern Rosellas spent inspecting boxes slightly increased over the 10-day period following scent placement at boxes with control and eucalypt scents, while it sharply decreased at boxes with tea tree scent. This is the first study demonstrating that an Australian bird detected and behaved differently in response to plant volatiles. The use of scents may offer opportunities to not only attract, but potentially also deter certain birds from using particular hollows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measles is a highly contagious and vaccine-preventable disease that poses a global health threat. While Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Countries have made progress in eliminating endemic measles, they remain at risk of importations from returning residents or travelers. In 2019, Australia experienced outbreaks mostly caused by infected returning residents, while New Zealand had a large outbreak that spread to Samoa. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global progress towards measles eradication, leading to a resurgence in cases. To mitigate the risk of measles, vaccination, disease awareness, correct confirmatory tests, and prompt response are crucial. Preventing cases through vaccination and effective public health measures can save lives and contribute to the global goal of measles elimination. [Extracted from the article]

Context: Rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a relatively new crop in Australia, with only a few commercial producers. The calyces are harvested for human consumption, with the seed pods often discarded as a waste byproduct. However, this material may have potential as a livestock feed supplement or as a value-added product in the food processing industry. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the nutritional potential of rosella pods for use as a feed supplement, including an in vitro assessment of their digestibility in beef cattle. Methods: Samples of rosella plants were separated into leaves, pods and calyces, then freeze-dried and ground. These products were measured in duplicate for their antioxidant capacity, as well as protein, metal, phenolic and anthocyanin content. Samples of the dried rosella pods (n = 3) underwent in vitro digestibility analysis using rumen/pepsin digestions and were compared with samples of commercial feedstock (n = 3). The resulting simulated gastrointestinal fluids from these digestions were tested for antioxidant capacity and phenolic content. Key results: The highest antioxidant and phenolic contents of plant parts were observed in the pods (14 300 mg Trolox equivalents and 2960 mg gallic acid equivalents 100 g−1, respectively), highlighting their potential for human or animal nutrition. The pods also contained moderate to high levels of minerals including calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc. Although the in vitro dry matter digestibility was lower (P < 0.001) than that of a conventional grain feedstock, the rosella pod substrate released significantly higher (P = 0.02) levels of antioxidants upon digestion than the commercial feedstock. Conclusion: Although rosella pod digestibility was lower than that of a conventional grain feedstock, it was comparable to mean values for Australian hays and silages. Given the higher levels of antioxidants released during digestion, rosella waste product has potential to be used in small amounts as a feed supplement, with the added benefit of enhancing free radical quenching ability. Implications: This study provides evidence for further investigation of the use of rosella waste as an animal feed, which would improve sustainability in agriculture as well as potentially improve animal health. Commercial production of foods for human consumption often generates byproducts that are traditionally wasted but contain significant levels of beneficial nutrients. This study aimed to investigate the nutritional potential of waste rosella pods, including an assessment of their digestibility in beef cattle. The material was found to be rich in antioxidants, phenolics, and several minerals, and to have comparable digestibility to other common fodders while delivering significantly greater antioxidant capacity during in vitro fermentation than feedlot rations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By 2017, rubella had been officially eliminated in Australia. This success was attributed to Australia's longstanding national immunization programme and two enhanced measles immunization activities using measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines — the Measles Control Campaign (MCC) and the Young Adult MMR Campaign (YAC). Our study describes the impact of these activities on rubella incidence, and its elimination in Australia. Aggregate national serological survey data were assigned to birth cohorts, and mean, median, and age-group estimates calculated and analyzed against MMR immunization coverage estimates (1998–2018) and rubella notifications (1993–2018). Three-year cumulative incidences were calculated by birth cohort. The serological surveys revealed high and stable levels of rubella immunity among females, but estimates for three male cohorts were lower. Since 2007, MMR immunization coverage among children aged 24–27 months has remained above 90% for both doses. The 3-year cumulative incidence of rubella declined across all birth cohorts following the MCC and the YAC. Using MMR vaccines to address measles immunity gaps had the additional benefit of controlling rubella in Australia. Both the MCC and YAC shifted rubella epidemiology, accelerating the interruption of endemic transmission. Countries should consider combined measles and rubella vaccines for all catch-up activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the Chlamydia genus are known to cause disease in both humans and animals. A variety of other species in the order Chlamydiales are increasingly being discovered and emerging as potential pathogens, yet there are scarce data on the diversity, prevalence and impacts of these pathogens in wild birds. To address this gap, we investigated which Chlamydiales species are present in a wild population of a common Australian parrot, the Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans). We collected cloacal swabs and serum from 136 individuals in south‐eastern Australia, over two years, and tested several predictors of prevalence: age, sex, season and breeding status. We used multiple PCR assays to determine bacterial prevalence in cloacal swabs and a solid‐phase ELISA to determine seroprevalence. We found Chlamydiales PCR prevalence of 27.7% (95% CI 20.2, 36.2) and identified at least two families (Chlamydiaceae and Parachlamydiaceae). Regarding known chlamydial avian pathogens, we found C. psittaci at 6.2% (95% CI 2.7, 11.8) and C. gallinacea at 4.6% (95% CI 1.7, 9.8) prevalence. We also identified at least two potentially novel Chlamydiales species, of unknown pathogenicity. Sex and breeding status predicted Chlamydiales PCR prevalence, with females more likely to be infected than males, and non‐breeding birds more likely to be infected than breeding birds. Seroprevalence was 16% (95% CI 8.8, 25.9). Season and breeding status were strong predictors of seroprevalence, with highest seroprevalence in autumn and in non‐breeding birds. Our results reveal a diversity of Chlamydiales species in this abundant wild host, and indicate that host‐specific and temporal factors are associated with infection risk. Our findings suggest that wild parrots are a reservoir of both known and novel Chlamydiales lineages, of zoonotic and pathogenic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia, influenza hospitalises more children than any other vaccine preventable disease does. Children aged six months or older are recommended to receive annual influenza vaccines, and pregnant women are recommended vaccination to protect infants aged up to six months. However, vaccine uptake is low. This study explored influenza vaccination knowledge and behaviours of parents of children who were hospitalised for influenza, in order to inform strategies that target barriers to uptake. We conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with parents/caregivers during or shortly after their child's hospitalisation for laboratory-confirmed influenza in 2017. Questions were guided by the Social Ecological Model exploring all levels of influence on vaccination uptake from the intrapersonal through to policy, via the parents' perspective. Transcripts were inductively analysed. Themes were categorised into the components of the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model. 20/27 children were aged six months or older; 16/20 had not received an influenza vaccine in 2017. Mothers of 4/7 infants aged less than six months were not vaccinated in pregnancy. The themes regarding barriers to influenza vaccination were: (1) Limited Capability – misinterpretations and knowledge gaps, (2) Lack of Opportunity – inconvenient vaccination pathway, missing recommendations, absence of promotion to all, and the social norm, and (3) Missing Motivation – hierarchy of perceived seriousness, safety concerns, a preference for 'natural' ways. Though most parents, now aware of the severity of influenza, intended to vaccinate their child in future seasons, some harboured reservations about necessity and safety. When parents were asked how to help them vaccinate their children, SMS reminders and information campaigns delivered through social media, schools and childcare were suggested. Improving parents' and providers' knowledge and confidence in influenza vaccination safety, efficacy, and benefits should be prioritised. This, together with making influenza vaccination more convenient for parents, would likely raise vaccine coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nest cavities are a limited resource, given the extensive land clearance that has occurred in Australia. Some obligate cavity-nesting birds are vulnerable to extinction and experience risk from heterospecific species that compete for limited nest cavities. The aim of this study was to identify intruder bird species at nest cavities of a threatened eastern subspecies of Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides), and to measure the impact of intruder birds on parental care (parental time budgets) and nesting outcome (nest usurpation). We observed 25 eastern Regent Parrot nests using a combination of 608 h of video recording and 67 h of binocular observation. In total, we observed 16 heterospecific bird species at the nest entrance of the eastern Regent Parrot. Two of these species were examined for their impact on parental care behaviour. The presence of Noisy Miners (Manorina melanocephala) near the nest cavity increased the time that Regent Parrots spent at the nest cavity entrance. The number of Yellow Rosella (Platycercus elegans flaveolus) visits to the nest cavity predicted nest usurpation. Nest usurpation of a Regent Parrot nest occurred in 6/25 cases (24%), of which 5/6 nests were usurped by Yellow Rosellas. Understanding heterospecific competition for nest cavities in eastern Regent Parrots should inform targeted conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelodryadinae, the Australian tree frogs, is a monophyletic group endemic to the Australo-Papuan region. Although we have a relatively good knowledge about tadpoles' phenotypic diversity in terms of external morphology, information about internal anatomy is rare for the subfamily; for instance, their buccopharyngeal cavity is completely unknown. Herein I describe for the first time the buccopharyngeal anatomy of two pelodryadins: Litoria rubella and Ranoidea caerulea. I compare my results with available evidence from Phyllomedusidae, that is, the sister clade to Pelodryadinae, and briefly comment on buccopharyngeal cavity within Hylidae. Both species can be readily distinguished based on lateral ridge, postnarial, buccal roof arena, infralabial papillae, and lingual papillae. Variation between the two species may suggest a large diversity within Pelodryadinae. Pelodryadinae and Phyllomedusinae present similar buccopharyngeal morphologies, although Agalychnis callidryas has a unique morphology and putative apomorphic transformations can be observed in Pithecopus + Phyllomedusa, Ranoidea, and Phasmahyla., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Morphology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective To describe the epidemiology of congenital rubella infections notified to the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) from 2004 to 2013 and compare that with previously published APSU data for 1993–2003. Methods Active national surveillance for congenital rubella infection has been conducted through the APSU since 1993. Monthly reporting by child health clinicians according to pre-defined case criteria triggers requests for clinicians to provide de-identified clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory information. Data were extracted for cases reported between January 2004 and December 2013 and compared with previous years. Results Five cases of confirmed congenital rubella infection were identified during the reporting period. All five infants had defects consistent with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Four of the infants were born in Australia during the study period, and all were born to mothers born overseas. Three of the five mothers had not had rubella vaccination, and in two vaccination status was unknown, although both were from countries without routine rubella immunization programmes. Since 1993, there have been 57 notifications of congenital rubella infection to the APSU; 40 of these infants were born between January 1993 and December 2013, of whom 34 had confirmed CRS. Conclusions Congenital rubella infection in Australia is predominantly among children born to unimmunized immigrant mothers. Migrant women born in rubella endemic countries without routine immunization remain an important group to target for vaccination. Rubella-susceptible women, especially those in the early stages of pregnancy, should also carefully consider the risks of travelling to rubella endemic countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigated the impact of vaccination on rubella epidemiology in Australia, using a mathematical model fitted to Australian serosurvey data and incorporating pre-vaccination European estimates of rubella transmissibility. Mass infant measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccination produced a 99% reduction in both rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) incidence by 2010 compared to the pre-vaccination era (1960–70). The model is consistent with reductions in CRS based on surveillance of congenital hearing impairment. Model simulations suggest that selective schoolgirl vaccination (1971–88) was associated with a 90% reduction in CRS incidence, but only a 1–4% reduction in rubella incidence. Our model predicted that these reductions in rubella were much less vulnerable to reductions in MMR vaccine coverage than for measles. In the future, a less than 15% decrease in MMR vaccine coverage is estimated to have minimal impact before 2060, but a 20% reduction may result in a 7-fold increase in rubella incidence, with the effective reproductive number R rising from 0.28 to 0.78 by 2060. The 99% reduction in both rubella and CRS incidence and low effective reproductive number (R ≤0.28) we documented after 2010 are consistent with Australia having achieved rubella elimination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There is widespread concern over the impact of introduced species on biodiversity, but the magnitude of these impacts can be variable. Understanding the impact of an introduced species is essential for effective management. However, empirical evidence of the impact of an introduced species can be difficult to obtain, especially when the impact is through competition. Change in species abundance is often slow and gradual, coinciding with environmental change. As a result, negative impacts on native species through competition are poorly documented. An example of the difficulties associated with obtaining empirical evidence of impact due to competition comes from work on the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis). The species is listed in the World's top 100 worst invaders, despite a lack of empirical evidence of its negative impacts on native species. We assessed the impact of the Common Myna on native bird abundance, using long-term data both pre and post its invasion. At the outset of our investigation, we postulated that Common Myna establishment would negatively affect the abundance of other cavity-nesting species and bird species that are smaller than it. We found a negative relationship between the establishment of the Common Myna and the long-term abundance of three cavity-nesting species (Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Crimson Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra) and eight small bird species (Striated Paradoxes, Rufous Whistler, Willie Wagtail, Grey Fantail, Magpie-lark, House Sparrow, Silvereye, Common Blackbird). To the best of our knowledge, this finding has never previously been demonstrated at the population level. We discuss the key elements of our success in finding empirical evidence of a species impact and the implications for prioritisation of introduced species for management. Specifically, prioritization of the Common Myna for management over other species still remains a contentious issue [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study evaluates the evidence for elimination of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in Australia, drawing on three national serosurveys conducted between 1996 and 2007 and supported by statutory notification and vaccine coverage data. Anti-rubella IgG seropositivity was defined as ≥10IU/ml by EIA. Between 1998 and 2007, rubella notifications fell >100-fold, to an average of 2 cases per million and there were five confirmed cases of CRS, two of which were locally acquired in 2003. Weighted overall seropositivity remained constant among 1–49 year-olds (89.6% in 1999; 88.1% in 2007). Between 2002 and 2009, 95% of children received at least one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. All three serosurveys provided estimates for R less than 0.5, well below the epidemic threshold of 1. All available data are supportive of Australia being considered for elimination status. Further reductions in incidence of CRS will require continued attention to vaccine coverage in overseas-born women, as well as the maintenance of current high coverage level of two-dose MMR vaccination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This report describes two cases of occupational exposure to Chlamydia psittaci following dissection of an infected Rosella (Platycercus elegans). The C. psittaci infections (with one of them resulting in diagnosed pneumonia and hospitalisation) were undiagnosed during routine medical investigations but later established due to epidemiological and clinical evidence, and molecular testing of the archived Rosella' specimens. This case report stresses the importance of correct application and interpretation of diagnostic tests and the need to raise awareness about this zoonotic pathogen among medical practitioners and people exposed to potential animal carriers. Our findings suggest other infected individuals might be misdiagnosed and that C. psittaci (psittacosis) is likely to be underreported in Australia. This case highlights the need to operationalise the One Health concept. We call for improved communication between human and animal health service providers to allow accurate and rapid diagnosis of this zoonotic disease and raised awareness among medical practitioners. Further targeted surveys of wild birds (and other animals) should be conducted to improve assessment of risks to the general population and people working with or exposed to wild birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-year cumulative incidences were calculated by birth-cohort to assess the impact of two major measles immunisation activities in Australia; the 1998 Measles Control Campaign (MCC), targeted children 5-12 years; and the 2001 Young Adult MMR immunisation program (YA-MMR), targeted adults 18-30 years. MMR immunisation coverage estimates were extracted and compared with notification data. Although the coverage of the YA-MMR was considered to be "sub-optimal", it effectively closed the rubella immunity gap in Australia, and demonstrates that utilising combination MR-containing vaccines in routine and mass vaccination programs is effective in eliminating the transmission of both viruses. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: The study aimed to examine the consistency in factors associated with attitudes towards vaccination and MMR vaccination status., Methods: Using the nationally representative Longitudinal Study of Australian Children matched with the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register, 4,779 children were included from 2004-2005 to 2010-11. Different MMR vaccine dosages and general attitude towards vaccination were modelled individually with multinomial logit regressions, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and health related factors of the children and their primary carers., Results: The group with non-vaccination and negative attitudes was characterised by more siblings and older parents the group with under-vaccination but positive attitudes was characterised by younger parental age; and the group with under-vaccination and neutral attitudes was characterised by less socioeconomically advantaged areas. The presence of parental medical condition(s), being private or public renters, and higher parental education were associated with under-vaccination but not with attitudes towards vaccination, whilst parental religion was associated with attitudes towards vaccination but not reflected in the vaccine uptake., Conclusions: Vaccine attitudes were largely consistent with MRR vaccine outcomes. However, there was variation in the associations of factors with vaccine attitudes and uptake. The results have implications for different policy designs that target subgroups with consistent or inconsistent vaccination attitudes and behaviour. Parents with intentional and unintentional under-vaccination are of policy concern and require different policy solutions., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Derived from pooled blood donations, polyvalent immunoglobulins are used for post-exposure prophylaxis as one aspect of the public health management of hepatitis A, rubella and measles. This review summarizes the safety profile of these blood products and the current recommendations for their use for the prevention of hepatitis A, rubella and measles among people who have been exposed to these diseases. The current recommendations are drawn from the most recent publicly available national guidelines of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom as accessed in February 2019.

Maternal infection with rubella in the first trimester is an important cause of congenital cataract. Any injury affecting the foetus following maternal rubella infection in the phase of organogenesis results in congenital defects collectively termed as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Although rubella embryopathy is a less common cause for congenital cataract than in the past, it is still seen. The number of cases reduced to one in 1997 after which there were no new cases till 2002. However, there have been two new cases of CRS in 2003. Herein another one in early 2004 is reported. Outbreaks of CRS will continue until the percentage of susceptible individuals is reduced to a minimum through immunization. The majority of rubella cases in Australia are confined to young female immigrants, many coming for marriage. We must continue to immunize children, identify and immunize vaccine failures and susceptible women before they become pregnant, and to screen pregnant women so they can be vaccinated after delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]