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ABSTRACT The Northern Territory sentinel chicken program has transitioned to qPCR testing of mosquitoes for flavivirus surveillance. In 2024, the new program has detected MVE virus activity on several occasions during the high-risk period for MVE, with several public health alerts issued to warn the public of the potential MVE risk. No human MVE cases were reported in the NT in 2024.

Abstract Varicella zoster virus (VZV) can cause varicella or ‘chickenpox’, a typically mild disease characterised by an itchy vesicular rash with malaise and fever. Immunocompromised people, neonates, and pregnant women are at an increased risk of complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, haemorrhagic conditions, and bacterial infections. After a primary infection of chickenpox, the virus may remain latent in the spinal column and later in life re-activate as herpes zoster or ‘shingles’, which causes a painful vesicular rash. In late 2023 a household cluster of VZV infection was detected in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. An initial case of shingles in an adult led to breakthrough cases of chickenpox in 3 young people who had each received 1 dose of a varicella-containing vaccine. The disease burden impacted negatively on this household’s activities of daily living. One dose of a varicella-containing vaccine is funded through the Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP). A 2nd dose is recommended, although not funded. This household cluster highlights the importance of recommending the 2nd, unfunded, dose of varicella-containing vaccine to parents and guardians to reduce the risk of breakthrough chickenpox.

Abstract In the Northern Territory (NT), the general public is permitted to purchase fireworks for personal use on 1 July, Territory Day. A significant number of individuals sustain firework-related injuries (FWRIs) each year. The Centre for Disease Control NT conducted a survey from 30 June to 5 July, 2024, to assess FWRIs presenting to NT emergency departments and primary health care facilities. A total of 41 FWRIs were recorded during this 5-day period with 56% of these injuries occurring in males and 44% in females, and 27% (11 cases) involving children under 18 years. Many injuries were significant, with 52% of injuries classified as moderate or severe and 7% requiring hospitalization. This study highlights the ongoing public health issue related to firework use during Territory Day celebrations, with the particular risk of significant injury to children. These findings underscore the continued need to consider this activity and highlights the need for enhanced public awareness and safety measures to reduce the risk of firework-related harm in the Territory.