A Cross-Sectional Study of Measles-Specific Antibody Levels in Australian Blood Donors-Implications for Measles Post-Elimination Countries.

Passive immunisation with normal human immunoglobulin (NHIG) is recommended as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for higher-risk measles contacts where vaccination is contraindicated. However, the concentration of measles-specific antibodies in NHIG depends on antibody levels within pooled donor plasma. There are concerns that measles immunity in the Australian population may be declining over time and that blood donors' levels will progressively decrease, impacting levels required to produce effective NHIG for measles PEP.

Insights gained from sequencing Australian non-invasive and invasive isolates.

Epidemiological data have indicated that invasive infections caused by the Gram-positive cocci (group A streptococcus, GAS) have increased in many Australian states over the past two decades. In July 2022, invasive GAS (iGAS) infections became nationally notifiable in Australia via public-health agencies. Surveillance for infections has been sporadic within the state of New South Wales (NSW).

Epidemiology of Group A Streptococcal bacteraemia in Hunter New England Local Health District, 2008 to 2019.

Invasive Group A Streptococcal infection (iGAS) is an uncommon but serious infection with Streptococcus pyogenes in a normally sterile body site. Manifestations include bacteraemia, necrotising fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome with attendant serious morbidity and mortality. An increasing incidence of iGAS has been observed in some regions of Australia.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant from an infected aircrew member on a short-haul domestic flight, Australia 2021.

In June 2021, when COVID-19 incidence in Australia was low, a COVID-19 (Delta variant) cluster occurred on an 81-minute domestic flight, with an aircrew member as the likely source. Outbreak investigation demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 may be transmitted during short-haul flights and that mask use protected against infection.